JAZZ hands are at the ready as the final preparations for one of the biggest events in Marlborough’s calendar gets underway.

From Friday, the High Street and other parts of the town will be transformed into a bustling music haven to welcome the return of the annual Marlborough International Jazz Festival.

Around 12,000 music fans are set to visit the area to see more than 100 bands from 27 different countries perform at over 20 venues from Friday to Sunday.

The Met Office is also predicting the sun will make an appearance, so revellers won’t have to worry about getting wet while they soak up the atmosphere and listen to the music while enjoying a drink outside.

This week, organisers have been busy making the final preparations. The festival’s founder Nick Fogg is pulling out all the stops so this year’s lives up to its exceptionally high standards and says there is something for everyone to enjoy.

"People can expect the most sensational event in the county, if not in the country. We’ve been going for 29 years and this one’s going to be the biggest ever,”

he added.

Venues from the fire station and pubs are also gearing up to welcome the large number of crowds expected.

General manager of The Royal Oak Paul Dyke said: “As always Marlborough Jazz Festival is the most exciting time of the year and we can’t wait. Our capacity is 300 and we are expecting to be full.”

Tickets for this year’s event have also been selling faster than any other year. Mike Hinton has been stationed at the booth in the High Street with Giles Platel selling tickets for the past couple of months.

He said: "Ticket sales are well up this year. People are coming from as far away as North Carolina – Marlborough's on the world map. The jazz festival always generates a buzz, but this year it's stronger than ever.”

The performance that has been creating this most excitement is that of renowned singer Elkie Brooks. Tickets for her performance in the Priory Gardens on Saturday sold out in two days.

The festival begins at 5.30pm on Friday and day tickets and Stroller passes are available at marlboroughjazz.com or from the ticket booth next to the Castle and Ball in the High Street.