ENTERTAINMENT by the bucket-load is on the cards for Callington this summer but musicians are being sought to really make the town sing during the second ever festival week.

A fun-packed feast of music, theatre and activities for all the family will kick off with a gala day/carnival extravaganza on July 10 but portreeve Rick Lumley is happy for more people to get involved.

'Last year was our first festival week and it was a trial really but was such a phenomenal success that we want to build on that,' he said. 'In years to come we hope it will become renowned.'

Mr Lumley is on the hunt for musicians and entertainers — from one-man bands to banjo players and wandering minstrels — to create an atmosphere in the town in the build up to the main events.

He is also hoping that some acoustic sessions and folk music may take place in the local pubs and clubs. Anyone who may be able to add some dance to the programme is also being encouraged to come forward.

The festival will run until July 17 with everything from gospel and male voice choirs to theme nights and a 'Mad Hatter Tea Party' for the children.

The Tamar Historic Transport Rally will take place at Polhilsa and Miracle Theatre will be returning to the town for an open-air performance of Romeo and Juliet.

Well-known singers Canticorum will be accompanied by Callington Town Band and there will be a trio of chefs including fish cook Jenny Penny and local chef Anton Buttery from Langman's Restaurant in Callington battling it out in a 'Ready Steady Cook' style gourmet evening

This will be the first time that the Lions' gala day and the carnival is held on the same day — the idea being to encourage people to stay in town all day.

Journalist and BBC news presenter George Alagiah, who lives in the Callington area, will be judging the carnival floats.

Despite fears that the police's plans to pull out of traffic management for community events may pose problems for organisers, portreeve Rick Lumley said in Callington the show would go on.

'Fortunately we have the manpower to organise the traffic,' he said. 'Within the towns clubs there are people including ex-service personnel who have been involved in organising things like parades.

'It may be a case of streamlining the whole thing but it will go ahead and we aim to give the first day of festival week a really big bang.'

Anyone who feels they can contribute to the festival in any way should contact Rick Lumley on 01579 382705.