BRITAIN'S biggest jazz festival swings into action today.(July 9)

And America's newest and hottest jazz export Kyle Eastwood, superstar Clint Eastwood's son, will be one of the performers.

A host of top international artists will entertain the crowds at the award winning 14th annual Wigan International Jazz Festival, which runs until July 14.

The impressive line-up features US talents Steps Ahead, New York Voices, Bill Holman Big Band and Dennis Noday.

UK bands starring includeThe Ted Heath Orchestra, the National Youth Jazz Orchestra and the Wigan Youth Jazz Orchestra.

This year's fringe is also the biggest in festival history with 18 lunchtime and early evening performances at Wigan pubs, most of which are free, plus seminars and a late night jammin-session at the Quality Inn.

Festival director, Ian Darrington, said: "Last year's festival was a tourism catalyst with 8,500 visitors from the UK, USA, Asia and Europe attending. We have been working hard to ensure that this years will be bigger and better than ever before."

The organisers recently picked up an award from the North West Tourist Board for their marketing of the 1998 festival.

Tickets and programmes are available from the Wigan Tourist Information Centre, ring 01942 825677.

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