The 72nd Highbridge Festival Of The Arts is well underway and hundreds of people are taking part from across the district.

Weston Mercury: Participants in the festivals ballet classes.Picture: Mark AthertonParticipants in the festivals ballet classes.Picture: Mark Atherton (Image: Archant)

The festival was opened by Burnham and Highbridge Mayor Bill Hancock and the area’s crier Alastair Murray on March 4.

Speech, drama, dance and music competitions have already taken place and the event welcomes performers of all abilities and ages to participate.

The festival began in the 1940s and it is held across 12 days at three venues in Burnham and Highbridge.

Around 2,300 performances will be seen by audiences of the festival by Saturday and between one and 30 people take part in each category.

Weston Mercury: Mabel Owen, aged seven, at the Highbridge Festival Of The Arts.Picture: Mark AthertonMabel Owen, aged seven, at the Highbridge Festival Of The Arts.Picture: Mark Atherton (Image: Archant)

A spokesman for the festival said: “All is going well and audiences and the competitors are enjoying the event.

“People taking part relish the opportunity to showcase their talents and they value the feedback given by the adjudicators on the day.”

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Weston Mercury: Toots who took part in the instrumental ensemble 3-6 instruments class. Picture: MARK ATHERTONToots who took part in the instrumental ensemble 3-6 instruments class. Picture: MARK ATHERTON (Image: Archant)

Weston Mercury: Ola Adamkowska in her ballet costume.Picture: Mark AthertonOla Adamkowska in her ballet costume.Picture: Mark Atherton (Image: Archant)

Weston Mercury: Lola John, aged six, at the Highbridge Festival Of The Arts.Picture: Mark AthertonLola John, aged six, at the Highbridge Festival Of The Arts.Picture: Mark Atherton (Image: Archant)

Weston Mercury: Megan Boyd won a medal in the Lyrical Modern class for the 7-8 years class.Picture: Mark AthertonMegan Boyd won a medal in the Lyrical Modern class for the 7-8 years class.Picture: Mark Atherton (Image: Archant)

Weston Mercury: Tia and Isabelle Coleman, Eliza Netley and Charlotte Whyborn at the festival. Picture: Mark AthertonTia and Isabelle Coleman, Eliza Netley and Charlotte Whyborn at the festival. Picture: Mark Atherton (Image: Archant)

Weston Mercury: The Elmington Little Orchestra who took part in the Highbridge Festival of The Arts. Picture: MARK ATHERTONThe Elmington Little Orchestra who took part in the Highbridge Festival of The Arts. Picture: MARK ATHERTON (Image: Archant)

Weston Mercury: Carys Thornton in the character solo in the 7-8 years class.Picture: Mark AthertonCarys Thornton in the character solo in the 7-8 years class.Picture: Mark Atherton (Image: Archant)