AFTER the huge success of the lunchtime concerts during last year's Bromsgrove Festival when extra chairs had to be put out at every concert, Festive Classics has organised an enticingly varied bill every Wednesday throughout this year's event.

Opening on June 17 with 'Flanders and Swann Revisited', the brilliant singer and actor Michael Lunts brings the work of the famous duo to life 55 years after their famous show 'At the Drop of a Hat' began its two year run at the Fortune Theatre.

On June 24 Diabolus will perform in costume their own brand of early music played on authentic instruments, followed on July 1 by Michael Seal, associate conductor of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, talking about life on and off the podium.

The Moseley Family are well known locally as outstanding musicians and dad Alastair, on the clarinet, and daughter Charlotte, leader of the Virr Quartet, will get together on July 8 for a performance of Brahms' sublime Clarinet Quintet.

Gilbert and Sullivan take over for the final lunchtime concert on July 15 when Joanna Goldspink brings her quartet of fine young singers for a programme of favourite numbers from the G & S operettas.

These will be held in the Guesten Hall in Avoncroft Museum with the concert starting at noon followed by a sit-down lunch. Tickets to include lunch cost £15 and applications must be made in advance to Jennie McGregor-Smith, Coombe Cottage, Finstall Road, Bromsgrove B60 1EW - phone 01527 872422. Cheques should be made payable to 'Festive Classics'. People should include an SAE when sending their cheques.

Tickets for the concert only will be available at the door priced £8.