If you enjoy fresh Cornish seafood and an eclectic mix of music and first-class entertainment, you’ll not want to miss Falmouth Oyster Festival 2018.

The festival, which starts on Thursday and finishes on Sunday, promises a great soundtrack and entertainment schedule, celebrating Cornwall’s musical talent and all things Cornish.

Festival director Mike Rangecroft said: “Music and comedy are very complementary to and conducive with the vibrant sounds, smells and atmosphere the Oyster Festival exudes.

"This year is no exception with a great line up of musicians in both the daytime and evenings, alongside Johnny Cowling, a firm favourite with festival goers over the years. The three evenings are in support of our chosen charities that are of particular importance in Cornwall.”

On Thursday, The Tinners return to play their mix of Irish, Scottish and English Folk music on fiddles, banjo, whistle, guitar and keyboard.

In the evening, with a wealth of tales and yarns to spin, Falmouth Oyster Festival presents an evening with Cornwall’s greatest comedy export, funny man Johnny Cowling and kickin’ country blues and swamp boogie tunes from The Hoodle.

The evening is in aid of Children’s Hospice South West, tickets £5.

On Friday morning, Cornish band The Countrymen will play a mix of traditional and contemporary Folk Rock Harmony. In the afternoon, high energy Cornish ceilidh band Krelys will get feet stomping with their repertoire of Irish music.

Friday evening, wielding knives, whisks and saucepans, the Hot Chef culinary battle takes on a twist as reigning champion Nick Hodges confronts a new challenger, celebrity chef and founder of the Posh Pasty Company, James Strawbridge.

To round off the evening, Company B returns to the festival, promising some hip swinging and swaggering to their energetic jump jive tunes. The evening is in aid of Shelterbox, tickets £5.

On Saturday, ‘jazzing up’ lunchtime, old time favourites the Black Rock Jazz Band return with their New Orleans style music and sit back and relax to the tones of local solo vocalist Tamara Leanne in the afternoon.

Saturday night kicks off with BandEkoot performing rock and pop covers followed by an uplifting evening with the award winning, gospel singer Ley Adewole and the cool retro tones of The Grace Notes. The evening is in aid of Fishermen’s Mission, tickets £5.

On Sunday, enjoy a special performance by cellist Cello Kats, and in the afternoon the festival comes to a close with traditional folk/harmony from Falmouth’s best-loved Cornish male voices, The Oggymen.

Entry to Falmouth Oyster Festival is free with the exception of Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. Tickets are £5.00 each and can be purchased online via See Tickets www.seetickets.com, from the National Maritime Museum Cornwall, Fal River Visitor Information Centre and on the door during the festival.

For details of the festival programme and further information please visit www.falmouthoysterfestival.co.uk, join us on Facebook ‘Falmouth Oyster Festival’ or follow us on Twitter @FalOysterFest. For full details of events at St Michaels go to www.stmichaelshotel.co.uk or call 01326 312707.