ACOUSTIC artists are tuning up for one of the biggest musical events in the city's calendar – Oxford Folk Weekend.

Hundreds of musicians and dancers will descend on the city centre from today for the three-day celebration of traditional music.

The event, which features sets by the likes of Martin Carthy, Coope, Boyes & Simpson, Kathryn Roberts, Sean Lakeman and Emily Portman, takes place at various venues including the Ashmolean Museum, pictured, which today hosts a launch event.

Music also takes place at the Pitt Rivers Museum, the Deaf & Hard of Hearing Centre in St Ebbe's, The Wesley Memorial Methodist Church, St Columba's Church in Alfred Street and St Barnabas Church in Jericho.

Morris dancing takes place in front of the museums, outside The Bear in Alfred Street, and in Frideswide Square.

This will be the fifth instalment of the event. Festival director Cat Kelly, pictured with fiddle, said: "This is the official start of the festival season. Everybody is waking up after the winter and looking for something to do – and I'm exceptionally proud of the fantastic programme we have pulled together."

For details go to folkweekendoxford.co.uk