THE ANNUAL two-week festival celebrating the many community and voluntary groups in Guiseley will take off tomorrow.

The third Guiseley Festival will host a variety of events for all sections of the community, starting tomorrow with entertainment at the New Inn, Towngate.

A programme of all the events taking place between June 28 and July 14 has been delivered by volunteers to every home in Guiseley.

Among the events planned is an 'Any Questions' session on Wednesday (July 3), in which members of the public are invited to quiz Aireborough MP Paul Truswell, Jean Searle OBE, who was chairman of the Conservative Party Conference last year, and Liberal Democrat councillor Brian Cleasby.

Four gardening experts will be on hand for a gardeners' question time at Guiseley Theatre next Friday (July 12).

Chairman of Project Guiseley, Richard Hughes-Rowlands, said: "We have received great support from organisations, businesses and individuals in Guiseley as well as from Leeds City Council. We are out to enjoy ourselves and promote Guiseley as a fine place in which to work and play."

This year's attractions also include an art exhibition, a garden ramble, workshops on writing at Guiseley Library, a wine-tasting session, brass band concert, charity cricket match and a Jubilee barbecue.

The hunt for the Brain of Guiseley will be on with a quiz supper at Aireborough Leisure Centre on Friday July 5, with a challenge shield and prizes on offer to winning teams.

Community radio station Guiseley FM is already broadcasting for the third year running, and will run alongside the festival for the next two weeks.

The beginning of the festival also coincides with the annual Guiseley Carnival - a separate event organised by Guiseley Senior Citizens' Association - which will take place on Sunday.

A special festival service to celebrate St Oswald's Day will take place at Guiseley Parish Church on Sunday July 7.

Most of the events taking place through the week are free, although tickets must be bought for entry to some of the events. These are on sale at the Festival Office, set up at the Guiseley FM office outside Guiseley Baptist Church, on Oxford Road.