GILBERT and Sullivan fans -- and there are many in Bolton -- are in for a special treat if they visit the International G&S Festival in Buxton this year.

The New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players, America's top professional G&S company make their British debut at the 11th festival which runs from Saturday to August 22 to mark their 30th anniversary.

Albert Bergeret, co-founder of the company in 1974, is bringing matinee and evening performances of HMS Pinafore (Saturday, August 7) and Iolanthe (Sunday, August 8) to Buxton's Opera House as highlights of this year's festival.

The festival's American flavour is strengthened by the return of Houston, Texas G&S Society, who will present The Mikado on Tuesday, August 3.

In all, there will be 30 full Opera House productions and more than 70 fringe events. The festival usually attracts thousands of visitors from around the world.