A SOPRANO is flying from Cornwall and a military band is travelling from Preston for York's annual Festival Of Remembrance.

More than a thousand people from across the region are set to attend the event, which takes place on Sunday at the city's Barbican Centre.

Organiser Ted Griffiths, of the Royal British Legion, said that for the first time in years, he had the luxury of knowing well in advance the complex would be available.

In the previous couple of years, he had not known until late in the day that the festival could be staged there, but this time he was given an assurance by the centre's new operators, Absolute Leisure, that he could have it.

He had also been told the Barbican would be available again next year, after a refurbishment and redevelopment of the complex had been completed.

Mr Griffiths said one of the highlights of this year's event would be the Band Of The Kings Division, from Preston.

Soprano soloist Janina Sweetenham had performed at previous festivals while living in the area. He said she had moved to Cornwall, but had agreed to fly north to ensure she could take part once again.

The York Philharmonic Male Voice Choir will also be taking part, and the church choir from All Saints', in Pavement, will feature in a short service of remembrance at the end of the event.

The festival will begin with a parade of about 40 standards from branches and organisations from across the region.

Mr Griffiths said the event would be recorded by York Hospital Radio and then broadcast to patients the following Sunday, Remembrance Sunday.

Tickets are available until Sunday from the Grand Opera House, but people should also be able to pay on the door on the night.

The festival will start at 7.30pm and is due to finish at about 10.15pm.