ONCE again the festival's family programme, sponsored by Fawcetts, for the festival presents an array of exciting and diverse events for the whole family to enjoy, including theatre, puppetry, dance, film and book events.

There will be an engaging mix of circus, literature and film events during the 16-day festival.

Young visitors with a passion for reading can delve into the wonderful worlds of their favourite characters. A special day of events is being held on June 3 at The Salberg, Salisbury Playhouse.

Join Best-selling picture book author Michelle Robinson for a talk for everything you need to know about A Beginners Guide to Bearspotting.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid is brought to life with fun activities including a draw-along and The Wimp Wars! Quiz. The event also includes exclusive clips of author Jeff Kinney talking about the books and more.

And fans of Witch Wars can transform into a witch and be taken through some of the adventures of Tiga, Fluffanora, Fran the Fabulous Fairy and the evil Felicity Bat with author Sibeal Pounder.

Youngsters can bring along their favourite teddy bear and join Do Not Wash this Bear writer Sam Hay and illustrator Nick East. Find out about the secret life of teddies and the adventures they go on when nobody is looking.

For slightly older audiences, the sell-out company Illyria will celebrate the centenary of Roald Dahl’s birth with a performance of Danny the Champion of the World, performed in the Wardrobe Museum Gardens to an audience of picnicking families on May 28.

Using a thrilling mix of dance, storytelling, dreamlike animation and sound, Chotto Desh celebrates the resilience of the human spirit in the modern world to offer a magical and poignant dance theatre experience for families to enjoy together. It is at Salisbury Playhouse on June 2.

Story Pocket Theatre makes a welcome return with a magical storyteller taking audiences on a journey through some of the best well-known stories by the Brothers Grimm.

And The Adventures of Pom recreates the Greek myth of Persephone at the Salberg, Salisbury Playhouse on May 31.

New Zealand Trick of the Light Theatre will be performing their musical Beards! Beards! Beards!, sponsored by Godolphin School, on May 31 and June 1

the story of a young girl named Beatrix, who wants a beard because, in her eyes, beards are the key to greatness and success.