HASLEMERE Fringe Festival 2016 kicks off at Lion Green tomorrow evening (Friday) from 6pm – and the fun continues almost non-stop through to Sunday night.

Billed by its chairman Ken Griffiths as a “fantastic cultural extravaganza”, highlights include Saturday night’s headline acts – stellar British country music double act Ward Thomas, followed by From The Jam, fronted by Bruce Foxton, one of the original members of Woking legends The Jam.

Taking to the central Lion’s Mane stage on Sunday at 8.30pm, are hit ‘Rockney’ duo, Chas & Dave, who will see the festival out in style.

The popular biennial event, organised by residents in the town, not only attracts big names but also shows off a huge range of up-and-coming talents in alternative and popular music, contemporary dance, arts and crafts, performance poetry, and comedy clubs.

Its partner charity this year is Liphook-based national children’s charity Dreams Come True.

The festival swings into action at 11am on Saturday with ukele and steel pan workshops at and the action-packed programme on the three stages offers a host of different entertainments until late. Sunday starts at 10.30am with a church service, swiftly followed by Godalming Gospel Choir and Bohunt Big Band.

Haslemere Thespians present Vagina Monologues at 7.30pm on Friday and Don’t Go Into The Cellar perform ‘The Singular Exploits of Sherlock Holmes’, on Saturday, at 7.30pm.

Popular local comedian Andy Stedman comperes Saturday night’s Comedy Club, featuring top Aussie stand up Colin Cole and Edinburgh Festival favourite Tom Deacon.

Also over the Fringe weekend, there will be a Dreams Come True cake bake-off competition with “celebrity” judges, and the opportunity to cool down with a Lion Bar, a special ice-cream to celebrate Haslemere Fringe Festival 2016.

Sunday’s Inter-Schools Poetry Slam will see stiff competition to lift the coveted cup.

The Festival Village on Lion Green will feature a variety of stalls with a wide range of hot and cold food, and real ale, wines and drinks at The Lion Bar and The Sports Bar.

• Tickets are on sale at www.haslemerehall.co.uk. For the full line-up and further information go to www.lionfest. co.uk