CORSHAM'S first International Jazz Festival could bring thousands of jazz fans to town and organisers are worried there might not be enough room for them all to stay.

Organisers at the Royal Oak pub are appealing for locals who could provide bed and breakfast accommodation for the jazz weekend, September 17 to 19, to step forward.

Julie Taylor said: "We don't know how many people will be coming but it might be thousands - and there are not enough bed and breakfast places around.

"Some visitors will be staying at local campsites but others will want a bit of comfort so we would like to hear from people who might have a room available.''

The festival has been advertised in the national jazz press, and at other jazz festivals around the country, which means Corsham could be the jazz capital for the three-day event.

The Royal Oak has run a successful jazz club for about two years and regularly attracts members from as far afield as Bristol and Swindon.

The Taylors have been planning the festival for over a year and have Whitley jazz enthusiast Jack Pennington booking the acts.

Mr Pennington is one of the country's most famous and creative illustrators, with a deep passion for jazz. He has organised jazz clubs and venues since 1952, including the Icebox in Chippenham.

He has also promoted and sponsored two Bath Jazz Festivals in 1982 and 1984.

Eight town centre venues will feature up to forty bands covering all idioms from New Orleans through swing to bebop and contemporary jazz.

Musicians from America and Australia will mix with the best British internationals and best West Country players. Younger musicians will be represented by the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, already recognised as one of the world's best big bands.

At least five sessions on the Friday night will herald the start of the festival. Saturday's music will start at noon with an opening ceremony and a traditional marching band followed by a Corsham cake-walk, when one ticket will cover all eight venues and 24 bands.

There will be at least one town centre open-air bandstand where jazz can be sampled free of charge.

Sunday will start at noon with the street bandstand and a cake-walk ticket to cover five venues until 6pm.

The festival finale will be a two-band cabaret-style session featuring overseas players and London Internationals.

More information about the festival can be found at www.corshamjazz.co.uk and anyone with accommodation available over the festival weekend should contact Mrs Taylor on (01249) 713607.