IF YOU want to learn how to bang your own drum, or tin whistle while you work, a Folkus workshop could be the place to start.

Folkus, the Folk Arts network of the North West, is running workshops this weekend at Milton Street youth and community centre, Fleetwood, as part of the Fylde Folk Festival.

Complete beginners are welcome as well as more experienced folk musicians.

Workshops are planned for beginners' guitar, melodeon, whistle, bodhran (Irish drum), English concertina and slide guitar.

And there is no need to book, just turn up.

Folkus chairman and Fylde Folk Festival director Alan Bell said: "The workshops are aimed at all ages, and you don't have to be able to read music."

He said tutors grade players at the start of the workshop to ensure everyone gets the most out of it.

The hour-long workshops cost £2. "Normally Folkus workshops last all day and cost £12, but with these people can come and go -- they don't have to stay at one workshop," Alan said.

He added that although some penny whistles will be available for people to try, for most of the workshops people need to bring their own instruments. If that isn't possible, they are welcome to sit in and watch, he said.

The workshops are great for bringing players together, he said. "I think they get out of it the fact that they are not sitting alone trying to learn an instrument. They get a good feeling working with other people."

And if you fancy a spot of clog dancing or learning to juggle, workshops for these skills will also be running on Saturday and Sunday in Fleetwood.

For more details on all the workshops phone 872317.