Each year the UK's roster of festivals expands as more and more organisers debut their celebrations of music, arts and culture.

This year, a Christian festival has found its way onto that ever-growing list.

The first Cheltenham Christian Arts festival starts on 8th April and runs until 24 April.

Nikki Seville, the festival's project leader, told the Gloucester Echo: "Since our first meeting in November 2014 inviting all the churches in Cheltenham to collaborate on this project, I have felt this is God's plan: glorious diversity in unity.

"Faith through the arts as a way to engage with the wider community, non-churchgoers and people of all faiths or none and draw them in to take part."

The inaugural event will take place across a number of locations in the Cheltenham area and features workshops and activities suitable for both children and adults.

Some of the highlights include a "big sing" in Cheltenham Town Hall, a night of Songs of Praise style worship that promises "plenty of audience participation singing contemporary and traditional hymns and songs", a talk on how Christ is portrayed in Renaissance art, and a day of comedy, literature, jazz and soul with award-winning comedian and writer Andy Kind and other special guests.

Rebecca Donaldson, the trustee in charge of music programming for the festival, also spoke to the local news outlet about the organising team's hopes for the celebration of Christian creativity. She said: "We would love to see people changed and stimulated by our events, to realise the God-given creative potential which exists in all of us and to experience the sheer fullness of joy to be had as Christians."

More information about the festival can be found at christianartsfestival.org