HAROLD Best MP and Guardian journalist Martin Wainwright will help get Otley Courthouse off to a flying start next week.

The two week opening festival, due to kick off on Tuesday next week, will feature Otley bands and Morris dancing sides, and tours of the restored former courthouse buildings.

Representatives of supporters of the project, including Otley Town Council and Otley Town Partnership, as well as churches and schools are also expected to take part in the exciting programme of events.

Highlights of the festival will be a celebratory concert by Otley Brass Band and Otley Singers, an evening with GMC Jazz and Dynamo Zetor and a chocolate making demonstration by Trevor Backhouse of Patisserie Viennoise.

Dave Robson, chairman of The Courthouse Project, said: "This is the culmination of an extraordinary project - the centre looks fantastic and we hope the opening festival will give everyone the chance to come in an have a look for themselves."

Architects Groundworks and builders R N Wooler from Keighley and public artists, Les Briggs and Lesley Fallais, who have been working with groups to create art work for the building, will also be on hand to join in at the ceremony.

During the Courthouse's first weekend, Saturday, May 8 and Sunday, May 9, budding artists will be able to try their hand at portrait painting with Otley Arts Club, or handbell ringing with the Otley Chevin Handbell Ringers, drama, or drumming with Clifton Drummers.

There will also be tours of the building by centre manager Karen Ellinson and a messy morning when young children will be able to try out the new art room.

Leaflets with the full programme of events are available from Otley Library, Otley Civic Centre and from shops in the town.

Timetable of events:

Tuesday, May 4: Tours - open house and tours 10.30am-12.30pm.

Wednesday, May 5: Tours: 1.30pm and 3.30pm, caf open for lunch, tea and coffee. 2pm-3.30pm: Murder and Mayhem walk. 7pm: Chocolate making demonstration; 8.30pm: Poets in the Caf.

Thursday, May 6: Tours at 1.30pm, 3.30pm and 8.15pm. caf open for lunch, tea and coffee. 2pm: China painting demonstration £2; 7pm: Informal children's concert.

Friday, May 7: 7.15pm: Official opening. 7.45pm: Buttercross Belles dancing in Courtyard; 8.30pm: Gala opening concert by Entropy and Bayou Gumbo.

Saturday, May 8: weekend of workshops. 10-11.30am: Drama workshop for children of all ages with Lisa Gustafson; 10.30am-12 noon: Creative music workshop with Sian de Lier; 12 noon-1.30pm: Drumming workshops; 1.30pm: Murder and Mayhem walk around Otley; 2pm: Otley Art Club: Portraits in the art room. 2pm: Otley Chevin Handbell Ringers concert; 7.30pm: Celebratory opening concert.

Monday, May 10: 2pm-4pm: Baby massage demonstration.

Tuesday, May 11: 10am-11.30am: carers and toddlers messy morning. 11am-1pm: drawing and painting morning for all.

Wednesday, May 12: 10am-1pm: open house coffee morning.

Thursday, May 13: 1pm: tours; 1.30pm-3pm: Applique collage and embroidery demonstration. Film evening.