Art, dance and music in the park will set the scene for a fortnight of varied events when Warminster Festival is launched on October 6.

There will be Zumba exercise at 11am, performances from White Horse Morris at 1.20pm and 3.10pm, Art in the Park to view and buy, and music from Warminster Brass Band and Steven Gifford and fellow musicians.

It will also be an opportunity to see the whole flock of Go Bustards sculptures, decorated by local children, businesses and community groups.

This year, the festival intends to help people discover the town’s hidden treasures, with a series of special events aimed at helping people show off their talents.

They include Warminster Entertains You music sessions at the Organ Inn, an open day at the ACTS Theatre Arts School and a chance to sing along to songs from the shows with the Athenaeum Singers.

Festival chairman Jill Flanders said: “We really tried to get as many people as possible involved with this one. The idea is to highlight all the great talent we have in the town.

“It has been great to get youngsters from the schools involved, like the Junior School Choir organised by the Minster School, and all the people in the Musical Friends night and even in our final concert are from Warminster.

“Nic Noble will be bringing her Olympic Torch to the opening in the park and we will carry it round the lake in a parade. There is so much here to experience.”

On October 7, at least 30 vintage buses will take passengers on free rides along picturesque routes around the town and into the Wylye valley, for the 16th annual Vintage Bus Running event.

Other events include a tour of Dents glove factory and museum, a talk with local MP Andrew Murrison and Warminster Garrison’s Colonel, Peter Merriman, art at St Lawrence Chapel and films at the Athenaeum.

Music includes a folk concert, the South West Music School, a harp concert from Warminster’s Cecilia Sultana de Maria, rock from the Full Motley and piano music from prize-winning pianist Plamen Tsvetanov.

There will be open poetry events, the works of professional performance poets such as Lucy English, and talks covering a wide range of historical topics.

Several of Warminster’s sports clubs will be opening their doors to offer free taster sessions.

The festival draws to a close with music, dance and drama in a grand finale at the Athenaeum, starting at 7.30pm on October 20.

Programmes are available around the town, or visit www.warminsterfestival.co.uk for more information.