Branscombe Festival returns this weekend with a new line-up of famous faces from the worlds of opera and jazz.

Since beginning the event three years ago, curator Ian Rosenblatt has brought some of the world’s best musicians to the village across three days.

Tickets have been snapped up ahead of the festival, which begins today (Friday) with limited spaces for each performance.

Despite the demand, Mr Rosenblatt says he is happy with the festival remaining at its current size.

He said: “I haven’t got any expectations about it growing, with the venues we can use and with so many shows, we want to keep it as it is.

“Branscombe is a beautiful place, there are lots of places like it around the country and in the South West, but I thought it was an ideal site to have a music festival.”

Highlights of this year’s festival include soprano Susan Bullock, the Sacconi Quartet and the return of dance band The Leo Green Experience due to popular demand.

The performances will be taking place across the village at venues including Branoc Hall, St Winifred’s Church and on the beach.

On Sunday, after a service at the church, the Band of the Royal Marines will march down to Branscombe beach for a free concert which will begin at 1.30pm. The concert was a huge success last year with more than 500 people attending.

Mr Rosenblatt works together with Petroc Trelawny and Iain Burnside to curate the programme.

He added: “If you have a curiosity for music, you are going to enjoy the festival. Enjoy an evening of music in a beautiful place. It is a really great festival.”

This year the festival will be donating 50 pence of every ticket to St Winifred’s Church.

For a full programme and ticket prices, visit www.branscombefestival.co.uk