WIRRAL Chamber Music Festival has announced it will be returning this year.

The programme for its third festival weekend will feature musicians from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra alongside some of Wirral’s musicians and special guests.

The festival will feature a thrilling variety of programmes in venues across Wirral from Friday, June 30  until Sunday, July 2.

Founded in 2021 by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra's leader Thelma Handy and Orchestra cellist Alex Holladay, the festival, which sold out all concerts and venues in its inaugural year, showcases young local talent, world-class musicians living locally, and visiting international artists.

Festival Artistic Director Thelma Handy said: “The power of live music as a shared experience is unbeatable, and our resounding aim is that there will be something here for everyone.”

This year the festival will donate £1 for every ticket sold to Claire House Children’s Hospital.

Director Handy added: “We are delighted to support Claire House as an important part of the Wirral community and share the charity’s appreciation of the therapeutic value of music.”

Claire House spokesperson, Cora Shafto added: “We are very grateful to the Wirral Chamber Music Festival for choosing to support Claire House. Music is very important to many of the seriously ill children who come to the hospice, giving them joy and improving their well-being.

“It, therefore, seems fitting that money from the tickets of this festival will make it possible for us to provide music therapy to more local children.”

The festival will open with a young choral group from Manchester, Kantos, in a programme celebrating the world of dance on Friday, June 30 in St Andrew’s church, West Kirby.

Locals the Katona Twins will take centre-stage on Saturday, July 1 at St Mary’s Church in Eastham, in an evening of musical genres with their programme from Handel to Hollywood.

On the final evening, Saturday, July 1, Festival Players led by Thelma Handy will take place in Christ Church in Port Sunlight.

The festival will also showcase local talent including Youth String Quartet Academy who will play at the Williamson Art Gallery on Saturday, July 1 at 11.30am and the Wirral Youth Brass Ensemble will perform on Saturday, July 2 at 2.30pm at Woodside Ferry Village.