COMEDIAN Paul Merton is headlining this summer's Frome Festival, it has been announced.

The star of Have I Got News For You is among a list of star names at the fesitval which runs from Friday July 7 to Sunday July 16. In all the festival features 150 events over ten days, including world class classical music, jazz and folk, renowned literary figures and popular entertainers from stage and television.

As well as Paul Merton, there's international pianist Peter Donohoe, folk legend Rory McLoud, political raconteur Tony Benn, humourist Miles Kington, a Disney Pixar charity preview of Cars and one of the funniest men in the business, Barry Cryer.

Festival director Martin Bax said: "Paul Merton genuinely wants to play the Frome Festival, proving it is becoming well known and getting top recognition.

"I am delighted that we are celebrating our wonderful county of Somerset. I have always thought it under-rated as many holidaymakers steam past it towards Devon and Cornwall.

"The aim of this year's festival is to remind you of the marvellous mass of things on offer here.

"As always, the festival is about much more than music with art exhibitions, film shows, literary talks, workshops and community events for all the family," he said. The festival kicks off with a concert by the Somerset Youth Concert Band, featuring 50 young, talented musicians from schools across the county.

Channel 4 Time Team expert Robin Bush reveals historical gems in a talk, entitled Life and Laughter in Old Somerset, while Black Swan Arts premieres an exhibition of eight county craft-makers and Rook Lane Chapel shows Robert Organ's dramatic paintings of the South-West.

For the first time, the festival offers a full programme of events at the Memorial Theatre, including Paul Merton, Tony Benn and Barry Cryer. A stellar cast of jazz and classical musicians also join Peter Donohoe to perform Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, while the Frome Operatic Society hosts a centenary concert.

The festival also celebrates the 200th anniversary of Isambard Kingdom Brunel (who built Frome Railway Station) with a series of traditional music workshops by Folk South West and a stage show about his time in Bristol.

  • For more information, look up www.fromefestival.co.uk.