A three-day international jazz festival is on the cards for Corsham in September, bringing a line-up of jazz stars from around the world.

Corsham's first ever jazz festival will take place over the weekend September 17 to 19, with events in a host of town centre venues, including the Royal Oak pub, the Methuen Arms, the Town Hall and the Pound Arts Centre.

Royal Oak landlord Nick Taylor said he hoped the event would attract jazz fans into the town and entice local people to listen in as well.

"It's not just for jazz fans we hope to encourage the people of Corsham and the surrounding towns and villages to come along.

"We are selling stroller tickets for the Saturday and Sunday, costing £20 for 24 bands, so people can pick and mix what they see."

Up to 45 bands and artists will play over the course of the three days, covering all sorts of jazz, including mainstream and modern, as well as traditional jazz and swing guitar.

While many artists still remain to be confirmed, highlights of the festival include the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, Mike Carr playing the Hammond Organ, Danny Moss on the tenor sax and the Pizza Express All Stars.

Musicians from the USA and Australia will join British stars and more local talent.

Friday night will open with at least five sessions, and Saturday's music will start at noon with an opening ceremony and traditional marching band.

A bandstand will be set up in the town centre and the festival finale is likely to be a cabaret-style session.

The full programme will be published in late June or July, and tickets will be sold through the Royal Oak pub and the Tourist Information Centre.

The festival is the brainchild of Mr Taylor, along with festival director Jack Pennington, a long-time stalwart of the British jazz scene.

A jazz club has been running at the Royal Oak for some two years and has proved very popular with most events selling out.

Jazz at the Oak meets about every two weeks, but the dates are variable, depending on the availability of artists.