IT promises to be the festival of the season.

And now in its 16th year, the Winchester Festival of the Arts is set to be bigger than ever before with a jam-packed entertaining line-up.

The 10-day programme, from July 3-11, will feature locally as well as nationally-renowned poets, writers, musicians and historians showcasing their talents at some of the city’s historic sites.

Poet Laureate, Dame Carol Ann Duffy, is one of the first presenting at the festival, who will be at the Theatre Royal on July 4 and the world-famous cellist Natalie Clein joins actress Louisa Clein at St Cross Church on July 10.

Internationally celebrated medical scientist Professor Robert Winston will be at the Guildhall on July 7 and the often controversial and intellectually-stimulating Will Self will be there the following day.

Winchester Cathedral, United Church, the Link Gallery St Lawrence’s and St Paul’s Church are also set to host the many famous names flocking to the city.

Carol Butler, festival director, said: “Winchester is home to numerous cultural events, many of which focus on a particular theme or anniversary. The Winchester Festival’s strength lies in tapping into the demand for a broad spectrum of eminent speakers and classical musicians, with a few surprises along the way.

“We open the 2015 Festival with the spellbinding Rachmaninov Vespers, in the hundredth anniversary of its first performance, preceded by drinks in the beautiful Deanery Gardens. It heralds nine days of music and talks throughout the city, from the incomparable, and recently award-winning, Tallis Scholars – this year celebrating their fortieth year – to world-famous cellist Natalie Clein with actress Louisa Clein in a programme of words and music in the medieval Church of St Cross.

“Lunchtime concerts from talented young musicians sit side-by-side with concerts from local groups such as Southern Voices and the Ashton Singers, and a diverse range of talks taking in literature, art, history, the media and science from a host of well-known names."

One popular feature returns again this year seeing local school children take part in the arts.

The Winchester Consortium of Secondary Schools presents some of the finest work to come from GCSE students, which will be shown at a special exhibition in the North Presbytery Aisle at the Cathedral.

Local schools include Henry Beaufort, Kings’, Perins, Westgate and Osborne Schools.

Primary schools are also getting involved for a literature-based workshop which will see Helena Fox engaging with years five and six students across the district.