BARRY Arts Festival is back, bigger and better than ever with a range of activities, events and familiar faces from the arts world heading to the town.

The festival's first week has already seen a packed timetable of events sweep across Barry with the opening weekend featuring Glastonbarry rocking Romilly Park and Keith Chegwin playing pop at Barry Island Sports and Social Club.

Other highlights have been a talk from Mr Nice Howard Marks, a set from acclaimed folk group A Harp and Monkey Trio and The Magic of Movies and Musicals West End showcase featuring Britain's Got Talent's Jodi Bird.

In among these events have been an amazing selection of art exhibitions, music, guest speakers and most things in between.

Festival spokeswoman Sarah Creasey said that one of the things to look out for in particular in the coming days are the all day folk festival on Sunday, August 2 at Barry Island Social Club featuring the winners of the BBC Folk Awards 2014 best duo award Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin. The event runs from 3.30pm until 11pm and tickets are just £10.

Another coming highlight at the same venue is top stand-up comedian and Barry boy Mike Bubbins on Friday, August 1, £10.50 a ticket.

Sarah Creasey said: "This is the third arts festival and every year it is building on the success of the year before. We are particularly delighted with the events that are going on around Barry this year.

"It's getting to the point where you don't have to head into Cardiff for entertainment and we're proud of that."

Sarah thanked Barry Town Council for their support and sponsor Pukka.

For a full programme of events visit http://www.barryartsfestival.org.uk/

To get involved with next year's event, due to start being organised in the coming weeks, contact Sarah Creasey on 07917881220.