A FESTIVAL is coming to Trafford starting on Thursday May 25 which the organisers hope will strike a chord with local people.

Performances will take place across the borough as part of Music Live, a BBC backed event being staged across the country from May 25-29.

From school playing fields to train station foyers, the area's musicians and singers will be out to entertain.

May 25

Players past and present from Brooklands Primary School will come together for an all day workshop culminating in an open air concert to mark the school's 50th birthday. Admission is free and the concert, which is open to the public, starts at 6.30pm.

The ladies section of the Meadway Singers, the Youth Choir and Junior Singers present a concert in aid of Francis House Children's Hospice at the Avenue Methodist Church, Sale, at 7.30pm. Admission is £3/£2 concessions.

Conductor Joe Agnew said the programme will include a medley from the musical Les Miserables, Purcell's Chorus of Ariel Spirits and a classic arrangement of a nursery rhyme called She Shall Have Music.

Joe hopes the concert will raise between £500 and £600 for Francis House.

Pupils at Park Road School in Timperley will attend a Folk and Country Dancing Workshop as part of their studies of English folk culture. The music will be provided by the Jack At A Pinch Band.

May 25-29

Shoppers at the Trafford Centre will be treated to a variety of music as they stroll through the complex.

May 26

There will also be continuous music from Trafford Youth Orchestras in a marquee on the school playing fields at Brooklands Primary School, Sale, from 6.30pm to 9.30pm. Music lovers are encouraged to bring a picnic to add to their enjoyment of the event. Admission free.

Tram, train and bus passengers passing through Altrincham Interchange will be serenaded by performers from a number of local schools as part of On The Move. Performances take place in front of the ticket office, starting at 10.30am.

The players will come from Bollin Primary School, Bowdon Church of England School, Altrincham Girls Grammar School, Cloverlea Primary School and Loreto Grammar School. They will also be joined by Trafford Youth Concert Band.

Project spokesman Jane Pearson said: "They're going to be performing a range of music from choral singing to instrumentals and generally making music which hopefully will entertain the public as they go about their business. We also hope to attract an audience of people who come and stand and listen."

May 27

BUDDING dancers, actors, singers and comedians are invited to enter the Northenden Talent Contest 2000. It takes place outside the Jack Beanstalk video shop on Palatine Road from 2pm. Entry is free and further details are available from 945 5486.

THE Media present an evening of rock classics at Altrincham Football Club at 8pm. Tickets priced £5 included a buffet are available from Stamford Park Newsagents, opposite Moss Lane. All proceeds go to local cancer charities.

May 28

Northenden 2000 present The Magic Book at Northenden Methodist Hall, Palatine Road, Northenden, at 3pm. Admission £1.