Musicians, singers and actors are invited to take part in a festival which will celebrate their talents.

The Rochester and North Kent Music and Drama Festival is now in it’s 40th year and gives people of all ages and abilities the chance to perform in front of professional judges.

Formerly known as the Medway Festival of Music, Speech and Drama the festival has been renamed and expanded to allow entries from North Kent as well as Medway.

Secretary Janet Wilkinson, 61, said: “The aim is to give an opportunity for amateur performers to perform and get constructive feedback.

“We have professional adjudicators who give them feedback on what was good and how to improve and progress in their performing abilities.”

The experienced judges are affiliated and trained by the British and International Festival Federation (BIFF).

Mrs Wilkinson, from Rochester, first took part in the festival in 2000 as a classical singer: “It’s a good, buzzing, supportive environment. The good things you do are celebrated and the things you can improve are discussed but in a constructive way.”

Classes are open to all musicians, singers and performers of all genres from classical to Disney. Participants are welcome to perform their own compositions.

This year there is three new classes for electric, acoustic and classical guitar.

There are prizes for first, second and third places and all participants under 18 will get a certificate and a feedback sheet.

Deadline for entries is Saturday (January 31) and the festival takes place on April 25 in the Pilkington Building, Chatham Maritime.

For more information visit www.rnkmdf.org.uk or call Mrs Wilkinson on 01634 316677. Entry forms can be downloaded from the website.