HATHERLEIGH Festival has already got off to a good start thanks to children at Hatherleigh Primary School.

Pupils from the school joined Karen Hawkins of Oceanic Arts to design and make fish as part of their Outdoor Learning Week. Children ripped, glued and painted their way through the sessions to make their creations.

They will have another chance to add to their shoal of fish if they join the festival workshop at the school today (Thursday).

The children will be showing off their work as part of the festival opening parade tonight at 7pm, led by Hatherleigh Silver Band. The band will play in the square afterwards.

The festival promises a fantastic few days of arts, entertainment and events for the whole family this weekend. Friday explodes with activities for all ages at the community centre with art and craft sessions, bookmaking workshops, a 'free range art project' and sport from fencing to kwik cricket and more. The afternoon offers puppet making' and Irish dancing workshops while the town gears up for the first night of 'music In the square' starting at 7pm.

Workshops on Saturday include animation, digital photography and willow weaving plus local artist Naomi Hart will be inviting people to join her creating a huge communal piece of artwork celebrating the wildlife of the Lew and Torridge rivers - 'Source to Sea'.

There will be a street market and more entertainment with local bands and those from further afield including In 'Kitty and the Lost Boys'. It will be topped off with 'The Travelling Bluesburys'

Sunday brings more craft, nature and music including a dressmaking workshop and a bugs and beasties nature walk.

There will also be a combined church service in the town square followed by a workshop and performance from the 'Unity Gospel Choir'.

The grand finale features the 'Entertainingly Different' group presenting an afternoon workshop of drama and mask-making in the community centre.

For information, times, locations and prices go to http://www.hatherleighfestival.co.uk">www.hatherleighfestival.co.uk