THIS year's Marlborough Festival looks bound for success with a star-studded line-up and a new sponsor.

Thousands of jazz fans from across the globe are expected to descend on the town.

In the past crowds of more than 10,000 have flocked to the event.

The Marlborough office of stockbrokers Brewin Dolphin is to sponsor this year's event, which will run from July 8 to July 10.

Among the big names confirmed are Bath's Clare Teal, described by Michael Parkinson as "the next big thing," singer Gwyneth Herbert, veteran jazzman Chris Barber and US soul singer Geno Washington who, with his Ram Jam Band, had two of the biggest selling UK albums in the 1960s.

Another musician set to draw in the crowds is bass player Kyle Eastwood, son of living legend Clint Eastwood.

Festival organiser Nick Fogg said: "Even though the festival is internationally renowned and attracts visitors from every corner of the globe, it is very much a Marlborough event, and we are always keen to involve as many local businesses and people as possible.

"This year's festival is set to be extremely exciting, with many of the jazz world's biggest and best known artists playing over the weekend.

"There are three new big stars in the jazz world Clare Teal, Gwyneth Herbert and Jamie Cullum, all of whom have multi-million dollar contracts and we have signed two of them to perform at Marlborough again this year."

Each year the festival costs £180,000 to stage. This year it will receive a Government grant of £7,000.

Stephen Depla, the head of Brewin Dolphin, said: "The festival is the key event in Marlborough and we have always been keen supporters, regularly hosting one of the main venues.

"We are delighted to announce that this year we will be the lead sponsor of the event and are looking forward to having an even greater involvement in the festival."

For more information about the festival telephone 01672 515095 or visit www.marlboroughjazz.co.uk.

Dave Andrew