THE heated marquee is already going up in the courtyard of Ludlow's Bull Hotel ahead of the traditional Christmas music festivities.

Mine host Phil Maile has booked a series of class acts, many of them local, to add some extra fun to the turn of the year.

His Winter Festival starts with two warm-up gigs a week before Christmas and comes into full swing with The New Amen Corner on December 22.

On Christmas Eve it will be the turn of The Hoola's and the Leominster-based band Hot Climate will see in the new year.

A key traditional event will be the annual tug of war between the Bull and the Feathers over the road.

"We've won four years on the trot so we will be trying hard for a fifth," Phil promises.

Full details appear in Menus and Venues on page 26. Otherwise, ring the Bull on 01584 873611.