Smithills School is staging its first arts festival from Monday to Wednesday.

Last year, Smithills was awarded specialist arts college status by the Government and the festival will celebrate the end of the school's first academic year with this ranking.

Director of Arts College Chris Wormald said: "As well as evening public performances, the school will suspend its timetable for the three days.

"This is so every pupil can experience activities ranging from dance, drama and music to poetry, literature, painting, sculpture, graphics and circus skills."

On Saturday, there will be a pre-festival concert featuring pupils from the James Cook High School, Auckland, New Zealand, the Walmsley CE Primary School Choir and Smithills School Senior Brass Band.

On Monday evening, a show called Destinations will be a journey around the world of fashion, dance and music. The work has been devised by pupils aged 11 to 16 and will feature a wide range of materials including empty crisp packets.

The Emfeb Philharmonia Orchestra from London will also play under its conductor, Ben Ellin, a former Smithills pupil. Ben, aged 24, was founder of the orchestra, which in September travels to Jersey for its first concert tour. Next year the orchestra goes to Spain.

The final evening on Wednesday will be the Smithills School Summer Concert at 7.30pm featuring the Smithills School Senior band, the Senior Concert Band, Senior Big Band, Senior Trombone Ensemble and the String Ensemble, with guests and soloists.

The new Community Arts College Age Concern Brass Ensemble and Family of Primary Schools World Percussionists and Singers, led by Ian Bamford and Lauren Mulholland, will also take part for the first time.

Tickets for all the evening concerts are £3 each and are available only in advance from the school office on 01204 842382.