The inaugural Henley Music and Arts Festival will be staged in Henley-in-Arden throughout the August Bank Holiday weekend.

Acts will play free gigs for family audiences in pubs, coffee shops and even the local bakery as part of Operation Footfall, a county council-funded scheme to boost visitor numbers to the Warwickshire market town.

All musical tastes will be covered including rock, pop, jazz and country – with a tea dance for more mature residents featuring the Alan Warner Band.

There will also be buskers in the town, with a special Family Day in the Jubilee Gardens from 1pm-5pm on Sunday (August 25) featuring The Celtic Clan, The Millennium Eagle Jazz Band and a clown.

The four-day festival’s 45 main performances will include Julian Smith, saxophonist from ITV’s I’ve Got Talent and Andy Bennett from Birmingham-based Ocean Colour Scene. Keith James will pay tribute to local legend Nick Drake and other local musicians will include Joe Cope, Amy Jones and Izzie Glen.

The event will be launched by ELO drummer Bev Bevan and comedian Malcolm Stent.

Also attending the opening will be The Town Crier, the High Bailiff of Henley, the Chairman of the Parish Council as well as county councillor and music industry veteran Mike Perry who initiated the festival after securing funds from WCC for the project.

The festival launch will be on Friday (August 23) from 4.45pm at the Costa Coffee shop in the High Street, Henley in Arden, where artist Tony Skeggs singer/guitarist will perform from 5pm.

Coun Perry said: “The festival programme is designed to appeal to all age groups and every venue has free admission. "We are hoping that it will be a major success and that it will become a regular Bank Holiday feature in the years ahead for local residents and surrounding areas."

Venues include The Nags Head, The White Swan, The Black Swan, Three Tuns, Matricardis, Jubilee Gardens, Costa, Baptist Hall, Gallery Upstairs, Le Dolce Pizza, The Bluebell and Henley Bakery.

Details: www.henleymusicfestival.co.uk

FRIDAY

Tony Skeggs, a human jukebox who gets the room singing along. Costa, 5pm-8pm.

Nick Inett, guitar vocalist from Isle Of Wight. Three Tuns, 7pm-10pm.

Suzi & The Backbeats, party band fronted by Suzi Woo. Nags Head, 9pm-11pm.

SATURDAY

Alan Mason, Acoustic guitarist. Henley Bakery, 11am-1pm.

Joe Cope, local singer. Costa, 11am-1pm.Jake Henry, R&B, honky tonk, rock and pop pianist and singer. Three Tuns, noon-2pm.

Aidan & Joe, Irish songs. Nags Head, 1pm-4pm.

Remi Harris, Trio Jazz with a Django feel. Costa, 1pm-3pm.

The Bravo Boys, Rock-a-billy. Black Swan, 2pm-4pm.

Marti Elliott, swing and lounge hits. Henley Baker, 2pm-4pm.

Alan Warner Band, tea dance. Baptist Hall, 2pm-4pm.

Keith James, The Songs Of Nick Drake, much more than a tribute. Black Swan, 4pm-6pm.

Jake Henry, R&B, honky tonk, rock and pop pianist and singer. Costa, 4pm-6pm.

Julian Smith, BGT finalist saxophonist. White Swan, 6pm-8pm.

Jonny Cole, new Black Country star. Three Tuns, 6pm-8pm.

Waiting For Susan, folk pop. Nags Head, 6pm-8pm.

Travelling Pilbury’s, 60’s and rock’n’roll. Black Swan, 7pm-9pm.

Mood Indigo, three-piece swing and lounge combo and virtuoso guitarist. White Swan, 8pm-10pm

Dave King, 60s Rock / Mod. Three Tuns, 8pm-10pm

Reggaelators, ska and reggae party band with brass. Nags Head, 9pm-11pm.

SUNDAY

Marti Elliott, swing and lounge hits. Henley Baker, 11.30am-1.30pm.

Millennium Eagle Jazz Band, trad jazz. Jubilee Gardens, 1pm-5pm.

Celtic Clan, traditional Irish Ceilidh Band. Jubilee Gardens, 1pm-5pm.

Steve Layton, classical guitarist. Henley Bakery, 2pm-4pm.

Ten Days Late, guitar duo. Costa, 2-4pm.Izzie Glenn, young local musician. Matricardis, 2pm-4pm.

Nick Inett, guitar vocalist from Isle Of Wight. Three Tuns, 2pm-4pm.

Amy Jones, young local musician. Nags Head, 5pm-6pm.

The Ronaldos, acoustic. Matricardis, 3-5pm.

Jonny Cole, new Black Country star. Costa, 4pm-6pm.

Paul Leegan Band, skiffle. Black Swan, 4pm-6pm.

Tony Skeggs, human jukebox. The Bluebell, 5pm-7pm.

Dr Teeth Big Band, big sound. Black Swan, 6pm-8pm.

Ten Days Late, guitar duo. Nags Head, 6pm-8pm.

Alan Fullard, critically acclaimed album earlier this year. Three Tuns, 6pm-8pm.

Tony Fellini, Italian sounds. Le Dolce Pizza, 8pm-10pm.51 Stone, rock and blues band. Nags Head, 8pm-10pm.

MONDAY

Steve Layton, classical guitarist. Gallery Upstairs, 11am-1pm.

Samuel Rogers, singer / songwriter. Costa, 11.30am-2pm.

Quill, local legends. Matricardis, 2pm-4pm.

Andy Bennett, Ocean Colour Scene guitarist with own show full of classic hit records. White Swan, 8pm-10pm.