A FESTIVAL celebrating 'all things Thomas Chippendale' will be held in Otley this summer.

A full programme of events, featuring everything from an Antiques Fair to a concert of 18th Century music has just been announced.

Celebrating Chippendale: Otley’s Famous Son will run throughout June, with some activities continuing into the autumn.

The festival has been co-ordinated by Visit Otley and Otley Town Council to mark the 300th anniversary of the master furniture maker, who was born in the town in June, 1718.

One of the highlights looks set to be Musick for a Summer Evening on June 5, when local artists will perform pieces from the 18th Century in the Parish Church.

Another, on June 23, is Old Meets New – Making Chippendale Furniture on a 3D Printer which, as the title suggests, will show 3D models of Chippendale's chairs being 'printed'.

And a light-hearted 'birthday party' evening will be held in in what is believed to have been the cabinet maker's former school, The Old Grammar School - now the Stew & Oyster - on June 2.

Lawrence Ross of Visit Otley, who is chairing the town’s Celebrating Chippendale committee, said: "Thomas Chippendale remains Otley’s most famous son, despite much of his fame coming after he left for the bright lights of London.

"While Otley may not have a selection of big-ticket furniture for visitors to see, it shaped his early life and retains a unique place in his history.

"As such, we have created a programme of events that we hope will inform people of his life here and elsewhere, as well as providing a more, modern fun element through celebrations such as the 'birthday party' and events for the younger generation."

Chair of the town council's Trade and Tourism Committee, Councillor Paul Carter (Lib Dem, West Chevin), added: "Otley has a long history of innovation that stretches back to the time of Thomas Chippendale.

"We hope visitors will enjoy this programme that shows off both Otley’s historic past and modern present."

The festival will also include guided walks along a new route, The Chippendale Trail, as part of this year's Otley Walking Festival. And a Visit Otley map of key early 18th Century locations will be available from Easter to October.

Other events include lectures by experts from the Chippendale Society, an Antiques Roadshow-style valuation evening and an exhibition on Chippendale's life, held in the Parish Church.

Otley is also making a special celebratory beer, Chippend'Ale, thanks to local brewer Paul Briscoe and Harrogate's Daleside Brewery, while a Chippendale-inspired flower bed is being planted at Wharfemeadows Park.

Town Poet Matthew Hedley Stoppard has written a special piece of verse to mark the anniversary, too, called Thomas Carved Our Town.

For full details of the Celebrating Chippendale festival visit www.visitotley.co.uk .