ONE of Hampshire's most popular arts events, The Winchester Festival, has been formally launched at a special celebration at the city's Guildhall.

The festival, which is now in its seventh year, features everything from opera to children's music and stage performances to readings.

Highlights this year include a specially arranged production by husband-and-wife team Timothy West and Prunella Scales called Off and On.

It is described as an evening of "theatrical reminiscences, diaries, letters, poems and critical accounts", mixed with their own witty experiences of life together both on and off the stage.

Another key attraction will be the interview sessions, with the festival's artistic director John Miller talking to both former Foreign Secretary Douglas Hurd and current BBC World Affairs Editor John Simpson.

Children will also be catered for, with a special afternoon show at Milner Hall on July 10 featuring The Songs of Peter Rabbit and The Story of Babar the Little Elephant.

The festival, which is being sponsored by luxury travel specialists Swan Hellenic, starts on Friday, July 9 with a performance at Winchester Cathedral of Beethoven's Missa Solemnis by the Southbank Sinfonia and runs until Sunday, July 18.

The visual arts will also be represented by a series of exhibitions at the St Thomas Centre, the Guildhall Gallery, Winch-ester Cathedral and The Winchester School of Art, as well as the Candover Gallery in Alresford.

Also this year, for the first time, a special website allowing visitors to check out what is going on and book tickets has been set up by communications giant NTL.

Speaking at the launch, Mr Miller said: "We are all absolutely delighted with this year's line-up.

"Our audience figures keep on going up and we have people coming from as far afield as Japan and Australia just to see the festival.

"It's particularly rewarding that more and more people are coming along for the first time, but what's even nicer is that those who came last year are now booking for twice as many events, and that's great news and very encouraging."

Also attending the launch were Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire Mary Fagan and Winchester MP Mark Oaten.

Mr Oaten said: "It is absolutely fantastic that we can bring such great musicians, artists and speakers to the city and it helps put Winchester on the map."

Further details on the festival are available online at www.winchesterfestival.co.uk.

Event guides can be picked up from the Music at Winchester box office in the Independent Holiday Shop in the Brooks Shopping Centre.