The festival starts tomorrow, with a summer fair from noon to 4pm, at Hedworthfield Community Association, in Cornhill, Jarrow.

Incorporating the Hedworthfield Fun Run, at noon, the fair will also feature birds of prey, a magician, a science fiction event, cookery demonstration, various stalls and much more.

The doors also open tomorrow for Jarrow and Hebburn Local History Society's annual exhibition in the Viking Centre, Jarrow, which will run throughout the festival fortnight.

Medieval merriment will break out at Bede's World museum in Church Bank, Jarrow, on Sunday, between 10am and 4pm.

Coun Alex Donaldson, the newly- elected Mayor of South Tyneside, will officially open the medieval fair, which is free.

There is also free admission to the museum and its Anglo-Saxon farm on Sunday.

The fun-fulled event will include everything from combat displays to coracle racing on the nearby River Don.

Bede's World marketing and development officer Sharon Thomson said: "The multi-period programme of entertainment includes stunning re-enactment displays by living history groups, a Dark Age encampment, complete with warriors and musicians, and an Elizabethan encampment, where visitors can watch skilled cooking and craft demonstrations."

Jarrow chemical firm Rohm and Haas has donated £1,000 to this year's festival, with some of the money being used to cover two performances of the show, Fifty Years of Everything, by Jarrow All Stars, at Jarrow Community Centre in Cambrian Street, at 1.30pm and 7pm, on Thursday,
May 22.

Launched eight years ago, Jarrow All Stars, whose members have learning difficulties, stage two shows a year, including a pantomime at Christmas. This year's show will feature top tunes from the last 50 years.

Rohm and Haas is funding the All Stars show, plus competition medals for children in a bowls contest and a local history exhibition.

Company site manager Richard Moss said: "We have always considered ourselves to be part of the Jarrow community, so obviously we are always keen to offer support to events like the annual Jarrow Festival."

Jarrow MP Stephen Hepburn has again backed this year's festival,
which is funded by South Tyneside Council, Rohm and Haas and the Local Network Fund for children and young people.

Mr Hepburn said: "Jarrow Festival 2008 will once again celebrate the proud history and culture of our unique town.

"People in this area are well known for their unique sense of community spirit, and the festival, since its revival, has grown into an important annual event in South Tyneside."

Free copies of the Jarrow Festival 2008 programme are available from libraries, community centres and other public buildings in the town.
A festival fun day will be staged at Low Simonside CA, Taunton Avenue, Jarrow, on Saturday, May 31.

The fortnight of fun will be wound up with a Jarrow Festival finale day at Primrose Village Centre in Lambton Terrace, Jarrow, on Sunday, June 1.