ALMOST 1,500 children from across Maidstone are preparing to take to the stage next week in the largest ever Infant School Music Festival in the town.

A record number of schools from throughout the borough are involved in this year's festival at All Saint's Church. So many schools are participating in the festival that there will be three performances by different schools on Wednesday, March 20, the Thursday and Friday.

The children have been learning a selection of songs which they will perform en masse under the direction of Kent County Council music consultant Tessa Fineman. The audience, which will include a number of local dignitaries, will be invited to join the actions to the songs.

The performances begin at 10.15am each day. Admission is £1 and there will be a retiring collection in aid of the Demelza House children's hospice at Sittingbourne.