THE Mrs Sunderland Music Festival gets under way tomorrow.

The popular Huddersfield festival runs until a week on Saturday.

This year the festival, which began in 1889, will feature African drumming classes for the first time.

Matt Delaney, who will be running a drumming workshop, was introduced to African drumming when he lived in South Africa as a child.

Matt, who trained as a classical percussionist at Huddersfield Technical College, and the university, said:

"There are four schools competing in the African drumming classes, with about 60 kids wanting to make history by being the first winners."

He is hoping that the addition to the festival will encourage more schools to try African drumming.

He said: "Everybody absolutely loves it. The kids think it beats maths!

"It appeals to all ages and people of all ethnic backgrounds."

The Mrs Sunderland festival will display a host of local talent

As well as the African drumming it will include all the usual classes, such as piano, wind, brass and singing.

A gala concert will mark the end of the festival.

The festival will be held at the Town Hall, and the university.

For details visit : www.mrs-sunderlandmusic.org.uk