LYDIARD Park will fill with people and their picnics relaxing to the sounds of the Proms and the sights of the firework spectacular.

The Classical Picnic and Proms event will include music from the English National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Jae Alexander.

Guest soprano Sarah Ryan, fresh from the hugely popular London musical Jerry Springer The Opera, will also appear.

Guest tenor will be Ted Jackson, the opera-singing builder and runner-up of Channel Four's Operatunity programme.

Following a meteoric rise to success, including number one in the classical album charts, young violinists Duel will also be at the concert.

They will be performing a 30-minute set of their distinctive modern take on several well-known classical pieces and tracks from their self-titled album.

Festival director Neil Cooper says he is looking forward to the concert, which takes place on Friday, August 27 from 7pm.

Concertgoers are encouraged to bring their picnic hampers, chairs and blankets and sit back and soak up the atmosphere.

Mr Cooper said: "Enjoy a fabulous evening with friends and family at Wiltshire's most popular classical concert.

"Relax to your favourite classical pieces, sing your heart out to Jerusalem and dance to the Can-Can."

A spectacular firework finale is planned which organisers promise will wow the audience at Lydiard Park.

Gates open at 5pm, the concert starts at 7pm and the event closes at 10.30pm.

Check back here on Monday for a 24-page Wiltshire Festival 2004 supplement