The 34th annual Chipping Sodbury Festival kicks off from June 14 with a number of different events.

The festival has become a hugely popular part of the Chipping Sodbury calendar and this year is expected to be bigger than ever before.

There is a packed programme with around 50 events taking place over the nine day festival, here is a rundown of what not to miss over the coming weeks.

In previous years there has been Q & A sessions with Winter Olympic legend Eddie the Eagle and politician Alan Johnson.

This time around there will be a special Evening with Bob Champion the former Grand National winning jockey.

He will be appearing at the Town Hall for a ticketed event that has been sponsored by Sodbury based-business Red Door Coaching and Training on Wednesday June 19.

Mr Champion will be telling the story of his 1981 Grand National win, when he rode Aldaniti to victory.

The popular Music in the Street event is back in Chipping Sodbury Broad Street on Tuesday, June 18.

Popular Sodbury/Yate based band For The Record will be performing a number of songs throughout the evening.

They are sponsored by Cotswold Homes and will be supported by local dance and drama groups, with a barbecue outside the Beaufort it’s expected to be another great evening.

It is not only events in the evening, with morning sessions including a Jazz Breakfast at Hamptons on Saturday, June 15 and mornings talks in the Town Hall on most days.

The festival also features various activities for pupils at local schools, including science and art sessions.

For those that enjoy something more physical there are a number of walks taking place.

They include walks in the local area with the Southwold Ramblers and guided walks about the town with the Historical Society.

A brand new free event for toddlers , We’re going on a bear hunt is taking place on Thursday, June 20 at the Old Grammar School at 10.30am and 1pm.

“We know that people won’t be able to come to everything that we put on, but we make sure that there is something for everyone,” said Kate Cox, chairperson of the festival committee.

“We are able to offer people the opportunity to see top quality guests, speakers and music at prices that are accessible.

“There is such a variety of things on in Sodbury over the course of the festival, it is going to be fabulous.”

Sodbury Festival is supported by the majority of businesses in Sodbury, with many sponsoring specific events.

“We have really great support from the local councils, charities and businesses in Sodbury and the wider area and they help us to keep overheads down,” Kate continued.

“We are so grateful for the support, they’re all brilliant.”

Over 80 different businesses have come together to help support the festival this year meaning a full schedule.

On Saturday, June 22 there will be an all-day street fayre and carnival procession along Chipping Sodbury High Street, organised by the Chipping Sodbury Lions.

This will be where Festival Princess Maddie and attendants Katie and Samuel will be leading the parade down the street, starting at 3pm.

If the weather is good then there will also be a fly-over from an original WW2 Lancaster Bomber at around 3.20pm.