SUMMER would not be summer without a music festival.

And next month the borough's musical youth will take to the stage for Bolton Schools' 48th Annual Music Festival.

A total of 2,000 children from around 50 schools will take part in the festival, the main highlight of Bolton's music scene. It is described as s celebration of music.

The festival, running from Monday, June 20 to Friday, June 24, will feature school bands and choirs as well as bands including New Century Strings, Bolton Youth Harmonies, Bolton Youth Flute Choir and Bolton Training Strings.

Around a dozen schoolchildren will perform every evening.

Val Deary, Chairwoman of Bolton Schools' Music Association, said: "The Bolton Schools' Music Association is a self funded voluntary organisation made up of Bolton school teachers.

"The main event of the association is the week long Schools' Annual Music Festival held every June in The Victoria Hall.

"This year 2000 children will participate in the 48th Festival.

"Each evening schools will come together to sing six massed songs and also perform their own individual items.

"It is a very exciting occasion for all concerned which is remembered by children for a long time.

"In fact many of the teachers now bringing their school choir have taken part in the festival as children themselves."

She added: "The Festival gives the children a wonderful opportunity to perform with others in a large venue to an audience of family and friends.

"There is a discipline in preparing for the festival and the performance itself gives them a sense of pride and an appreciation of the value of music."

Performances will take place at 7pm each evening in the Victoria Hall.

Tickets are £4 adults, £2 concessions and £1 children from participating schools and on the door.