SUFFOLK: Thousands of you are flocking to Southwold’s Henham Park Estate today for the start of one of the biggest and boldest festivals on the summer calendar.

Now in its fifth year, hundreds of acts from the worlds of music, theatre, comedy, literature, film, poetry, dance, art, fashion and cabaret will perform at Latitude until Sunday night.

The likes of Tom Jones, Florence and the Machine and even virtuoso violinist Nigel Kennedy plus many, many more music acts are bound to be among the highlights.

But Latitude is more than a musical festival.

There’s comedy from the likes of Emo Philips and Ardal O’Hanlon; cabaret acts including Duckie and Idiots of Ants, Les Enfants Terribles present their murder mystery The Vaudevillains, while the region’s very own Mouth to Mouth theatre company presents The Comedy of Errors.

Sadler’s Wells will present a stunning programme of modern ballet and there’ll be an excerpt from the wonderful world of Hair, the Tony Award-winning musical.

Bestselling author Sebastian Faulks joins other literary luminaries such as China Mi�ville at Latitude while actors such as Starsky and Hutch’s David Soul, CSI’s Gary Doudan and The Bourne Supremacy’s Brian Cox will be reading short stories and poetry.

Chuck in DJs, films, masked balls and more the list of what to do over the weekend goes on and on.

There’s no need to worry the little ones will get bored either.

The Children’s Arena offers a world of art and crafts, drama workshops, theatre and puppet shows, literary tales and creative fun – including the chance to join Latitude’s own Glee Club!

For coverage and reviews of this year’s festival check this website and buy Friday, Saturday and Monday’s papers.