ALL the usual traditions will be on view at Kent County Cricket Club's 154th Festival Week, which starts today.

County champions Sussex provide the opposition for the four day match, while Glamorgan are the visitors in the totesport National League Division 1 clash on Monday. The game has had to be put back 24 hours due to the Welsh county's Twenty20 commitments.

Club officials will be hoping for good weather in what is the highlight of the county's season. This year's Festival, first held in 1842 starts a day earlier than usual, with Ladies Day switched to Wednesday.

It will feature the popular Ladies Hat competition, while the sponsors Shepherd Neame's Horse and Dray will be on view, and the Invicta Brass Band will entertain during the lunch and tea interval.

Fifteen marquees have been hired for each day, with Lord Lieutenent of Kent Alan Willett, a keen cricket fan, taking one for the first time. Others will be hosted by the Lord Mayor of Canterbury, the High Sheriff of Kent, Queen's Own Buffs, Band of Brothers the Kent and Canterbury Club, which celebrates it's centenary this year and The Hoppers Club.

The Kent Supporters Club will also conduct their annual wreath-laying ceremony during the tea interval on Wednesday, remembering the county's players who lost their lives in the first two world wars.