Programmes are out tomorrow (Friday) for this year’s Deal Festival, promising more diversity and excitement, as well as tempting different audiences.

That’s the message from Tim Jackaman, festival chairman, who said this year’s event was all about reaching the parts not reached before.

The Festival 2012 programmes can be picked up tomorrow at the Mercury office, Queen Street, Deal, and the event starts on Friday, June 29.

Mr Jackaman said: "There will be a major, award winning folk act, an open air opera as well as the kind of fabulous classical music people have come to expect from us.

"The late night series at the Astor, featuring jazz, cabaret and classical with a twist, is also aimed at appealing to new audiences. We want the Deal Festival to offer something to everyone."

Apart from many events in Deal, there are concerts and theatre in Dover, music at St Margaret’s, a children’s event at Ramsgate, Shakespeare in Sandwich and opera at Northbourne Park School, Betteshanger.honoured that Miriam is giving one of its last performances in Deal."

The festival box office at the Astor is on 01304 370220 and opens on May 22. The programmes also include a booking form for events. The Mercury is now the media partner of the Deal Festival.

* For full details seewww.dealfestival.co.uk