MUSIC-LOVERS are tuning up for Huddersfield's top festival.

More than 1,000 entrants are expected to take part in the 117th annual Mrs Sunderland competition.

It opens on February 17 and runs for nine days.

Entrants in vocal, instrumental and speech classes will compete in 140 categories.

They will go centre stage at Huddersfield Town Hall, with a few events also taking place at St Paul's Hall and the recital hall on the university campus.

The event is named after the Brighouse-born `Queen of Song', Susan Sunderland, who hosted the first concert in 1889.

David Hirst, one of the organisers, said: "The festival has a long and proud history and is deservedly a highlight in the musical calendar.

"Once again, we are expecting an amazingly high standard from very talented performers.

"We're hoping the people of Huddersfield will take this opportunity to come along and see top-class performances."

Two tributes are planned at this year's festival to mark the 250th anniversary of composer Mozart's birth.

The vocal finals night will include a Mozart piece and there will also be a special section in the piano solo and piano concert.

Mr Hirst paid tribute to the volunteers and sponsors who help the event go ahead each year.

"They make it possible for it all to happen," he said.

Piano entries are up 70 on last year, to 254.

The junior vocal entries are at a high of 205.

There's good news for the audience, with the decision to have reserved tickets for the for the gala concert finale on Saturday, February 25. Organisers are taking the step to avoid a rush for the best seats on the night.

A highlight of the festival is the Kirklees Young Musician of the Year contest.

Fifteen people bidding to win the coveted title will line up at St Paul's Hall on February 24.

They will be under the watchful eye of adjudicator Philip Wilby.

He is a composer and recently- retired lecturer in music at Leeds University.

Birkby pianist Richard Uttley, 17, was the winner last February.

Tickets at £1 are available on the door for most classes.

Gala concert seats cost £7.50 (£7 concessions).

They are on sale at the Huddersfield Information Centre on Albion Street.