THE beautiful backdrop of Chudleigh's Ugbrooke House will provide an idyllic setting when the venue hosts a weekend of concerts in aid of charity.

The Ugbrooke Music Festival returns next weekend, Friday, July 8, and Saturday, July 9, with two special evenings of classical music.

On the Friday, leading chamber choir ExeVox, and pianist and director Peter Adcock will open a treasure chest of favourite choral pieces. The concert will include works by Bach, Purcell, Mozart and Gershwin, and traditional Welsh songs interleaved with piano solos by the same or contemporary composers. On the Saturday, two local young professionals, violinist Marie Langrishe, now at the Royal Academy of Music, and clarinettist Joseph Shiner, from Cambridge University, will be performing favourite duos.

On both days, Lord and Lady Clifford will be opening the grounds at 6.30pm for people to bring picnics to enjoy prior to the concert, washed down with a complimentary sparkling wine or fruit juice.

The concerts are being held in the St Cyprian's Chapel. The festival is being held in aid of the South Devon Sports Association for the Disabled and Tiverton Market Youth Drop-In Centre.

Tickets cost £20, including a souvenir programme. For more information call 01392 273655 or visit www.ugbrooke.co.uk.