A MUCH loved annual festival will kick off at the weekend with arts, food, dance and much more.

Arundel Festival starts on Saturday and runs until August 31 with dozens of events taking place across the ten days.

In what is the 38th year the festival has been held, a number of regular events are returning including the The Gallery Trail, Theatre Trail and Arundel Scout 10km.

There will also be the ever popular Words and Music in Private Houses event as well as the Duck Race which sees hundreds of rubber ducks emptied into the river for the race.

Among the other events set to be popular are the Arundel Ghost experience which will see visitors taken on a spooky candlelit tour around the Victorian town hall holding cells.

The Big Arundel Dance flashmob, which will see dozens perform on the opening weekend, will also be one not to miss.

The Duke of Norfolk, who sits in Arundel Castle, is staging a number of events in his grounds over the festival including two nights of al fresco Shakespeare performances and a life in a medieval castle day which will see actors portray the lives of the rich and poor in the 12th and 13th centuries.

Edward Norfolk, The Duke of Norfolk, said: "The annual Arundel Festival showcases everything that is excellent about our town, and I am delighted to see it make a joyful return for its 38th year. This year’s weeklong schedule once again promises fantastic entertainment, with a diverse range of events and activities hosted by Arundel’s most talented leading lights certain to entertain visitors of all ages.

"Under the stewardship of an entirely new committee this year, the Arundel Festival will offer a blend of exciting new events such as a Wine Trail organised by the Arundel Wine Society, alongside old favourites including the Duck Race and Gallery Trail.

"We at Arundel Castle are excited to once again be part of the Festival."

However, one disappointment is that flagship event, Meet The Fogles, has been postponed.

TV start Ben Fogle was set to appear on Saturday but the star of BBC's Castaway has been whisked off for a secret filming job.

As a result his show has been rescheduled for October 10.

For more details and the full line up visit arundelfestival.co.uk.