Calne's Music and Arts Festival claims it lost the financial support of North Wiltshire District Council because it was not informed of changes to the grant application process.

But a spokesman for the council said everyone who has applied for grants from the small budget fund in the past was warned of the changes in a letter sent 12 months ago.

He said: "We were very careful to inform everyone so people wouldn't feel they were missing out. This is the only case we are aware of where there has been a problem."

Treasurer of Calne Music and Arts Festival Carole Browne, said: "We've always had a grant from the North Wiltshire District Council but because they failed to inform us that they've changed the system we didn't get anything and now we're the only festival in Wiltshire operating without a grant."

The festival has always applied to the small budget fund and was shocked when its application was declined because it failed to meet the criteria.

The organisers were told they needed to apply to the arts festival budget but when they submitted their application they were told they were to late and the funds had already been allocated.

But they decided the show must go on and with the financial backing of the events by 200 patrons, Calne Town Council and local businesses they have ensured the streets of Calne will come alive to the sound of music in October.

The ten-day festival, which begins on October 4, encompasses a broad cross-section of artistic media, including music, drama, and art. The programme varies from painting and sculpture exhibitions, to jazz, choral, folk and classical music concerts and includes plays.

The festival, in its 28th year, combines a mixture of old and new, professional and amateur performers, but it is characterised by its emphasis on local talent.

The programme's variation is testament to the wealth and depth of talent in Calne and the surrounding villages.

This year's festival will be headlined by cellist Marie Macleod, 22, winner of the string section of the BBC Young Musician of the Year Award 1998. Miss Macleod, who was brought up in Cherhill before attending the Yehudi Menuhin music school, will play music by Beethoven, Britten and Chopin in St Margaret School's new hall on October 11.

Calne's answer to the Von Trapps, the Martin family from Calstone, will play and sing a variety of different music in various combinations, including duets, trios and the full family quartet. Philip Martin is a concert pianist and composer, his wife Penelope is a soprano, Gwendolen is a soprano and plays the cello and recorder, Samuel is a baritone and plays the viola.

The multi-talented family will play pieces written by Mr Martin, Mozart and Strauss and will sing extracts from musicals, including Les Miserables and Westside Story on October 6 at Marden House.

Mr Martin, said: "We always look forward to the festival because we always have a lovely audience and Marden House is a lovely place to perform in.

"The main aim is to show what the children do because it's their last year before they go to university and it's a chance to do something together, which will be fun," added Mrs Martin.

Bob Straker-Cook, from Bremhill, will give an illustrated talk entitled travels in Afghanistan and beyond, about the scenery and treasures of Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and northern Pakistan, where he worked with the British Council.

His slide show will be interspersed with music from Afghan singer and musician Said Awaz Hashemi, who recently settled in southern England and plays the Dutar, a long-necked lute.

Wiltshire's equivalent to the Dubliners Folk band Tinker's Cuss will be performing in the Jolly Miller, in Quemerford, on October 12. The band members from Chippenham, Devizes and Calne will play popular Irish music, jigs, rip-roaring chorus songs and haunting ballads.

But the fun is not just reserved for adults and on October 5, in the Mill Race Centre, children will be invited to let their imagination run riot when they make fantasy hats out of different materials.

The festival is centred on Marden House but there are concerts and plays at venues across Calne, including St Mary's School Chapel, John Bentley School and the King George.

For further information or to book tickets contact the box office at Bank House, The Strand, in Calne at 01249 814000.