THE 16th annual Hatherleigh Festival is almost here, and this year's line-up looks as good as ever.

The festival, between July 28 and 31, will provide four days of music, exhibitions, workshops, sports and dance. Most events are free.

The festival's events kick off on July 28 with a children's circus workshop at the community centre. The children involved with the workshop can then take part in the festival opening parade, showing off their newly-acquired circus skills. The workshop costs £3.

The parade will be led from the community centre through the town to the square by the town crier, and accompanied by Hatherleigh Silver Band. Children wishing to take part are asked to meet at the community centre at 6.30pm.

Hatherleigh Silver Band will then continue to play in the square until 8pm. In the evening, the music continues with folk musician Edd Lane and Mariners Away, touring the three pubs of Hatherleigh. Both acts will be playing for beer, so feel free to buy them all a pint and join in a fun night of music.

The fun continues on July 29, with a 'messy play' session for under 5s at the community centre from 10am to 11.30am.

Workshops in animation and making patchwork pin cushions will run at the community centre.

For sporty types, there are sessions for fencing and orienteering at the community centre, both costing £3. The fencing takes place between 2pm and 4pm, with the orienteering from 4pm and 6pm.

The evening schedule for Friday is even more packed than the daytime line-up. Hatherleigh Methodist Church will play host to a wondrous evening of comic songs from Flanders and Swann, courtesy of Roger Cleverdon from 7.30pm.

Top tribute act the Take That Experience will play the community centre from 8pm, playing all of Take That's hits. Tickets cost £10. This is one of two main fundraising events for the festival to help keep much of it free.

The square will play host to a night of free music from 8pm, with rapper Zuby, rock band I'm In Love, and the unique sound of party band Killamonjambo.

On Saturday July 30, stool making, embroidery, image printing, street dance and musical instruments are the order of the day in a series of fun workshops.

The square will be home to the street market and first viewing of 'My Hatherleigh' a documentary film shot and produced by the young people of the town.

Saturday's music starts in the square at 2pm with bluegrass band the Hog Ranch, and continues through the day with Rob, Dave and Izzy, Josie Lloyd, the Ten Five Sixty, Century Man and Black Friday. There will also be juggling and comedy from Dan The Hat.

The festival comes to a close on Sunday July 31. St John The Baptist Church, Hatherleigh Methodist Church and the Vine Church are holding a combined service in the square from 11am, with singing from St Thomas Gospel Choir.

Hatherleigh's Young Players will put on an afternoon performance of Winnie the Pooh, and there will be an organ recital with works from the recent royal wedding.

The festival ends with one-man show Two Halves of Guinness, a touching and insightful portrayal of one of Britain's greatest ever actors, Sir Alec Guinness.

Like the Take That Experience, the event is raising funds to help keep the festival free. There are plenty of tickets left, each costing £10.

For further details on each event and to book places at the various workshops, visit http://www.hatherleighfestival.co.uk">www.hatherleighfestival.co.uk