Orchestras are usually associated with classical music, but not so at Tenterden Folk Festival.

Members of two community folk orchestras, one from Essex and the other from West Sussex, arguably the largest groups of their type in England, will come together to perform.

Tenterden Folk Festival runs from Thursday, October 2 until Sunday, October 5 and the two orchestras will combine as the climax on the Sunday.

All 45 musicians will perform in St Mildred’s Church at 3pm.

The two orchestras held a joint workshop last year, where they came up with the idea of teaming up for a special performance at a folk festival – and that is what brings them to Tenterden.

Among the packed schedule of other perfomances is an English barn dance, concerts, sing-a-rounds, music sessions, folk clubs, a craft fair and street stalls, music stalls, dance displays, a procession, meet-the-guest spots, entertainment on the Kent and East Sussex Railway and activities for children.

Performers include Dave Webber and Anni Fentiman, James Findlay Trio, Jez Lowe, Gentlemen of Few, the Old Country Crows, Malcolm Ward and Wyatts Cat among many others.

New for this year is the Tenterden Folk Festival mobile app, available on Android at Google Play. At a cost of 99p it provides links to guests, map, weather and special offers.

For the full listings visit www.tenterdenfolkfestival.org.uk