A FESTIVAL celebrating the arts is running digitally until next month as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Harwich Festival of the Arts launched with a premier of specially commissioned video collaboration between Harwich Sign and Ballroom Business on Thursday virtually.

The festivities will run online until July 5.

Live performances will be live streamed every night of the festival at 7.45pm via the Harwich Festival's Facebook page and will feature high profile acts including storyteller and folk singer Matthew Crampton, 2011 Britain’s Got Talent finalist Jean Martyn and Alex Hart a member of Jethro Tull guitarist Martin Barre’s band who was due to tour America with him before the pandemic lockdown began.

Festival organisers are also asking residents to get creative, by calling for artists, film makers and writers to submit their work to their digital exhibitions.

Local creatives can submit artwork for the 20cm by 20cm Open Exhibition.

Filmmakers can send their films which are less than ten minutes long to Harwich Shorts, or writers can submit their poems or words for an exhibition call Words from Lockdown.

Michael Offord, Harwich Festival's general manager, said: "The digital Harwich Festival has been launched in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and aims to continue to support artists and the wider community through the continued delivery of art and cultural activities.

"In these difficult times the Harwich Festival relies heavily on funding and donations.

"If you would like to know more about how you can help support the Harwich Festival visit the support us tab on the website."

The festival has received support form Arts Council England.

To view the full festival line up visit, harwichfestival.co.uk/whats-on/.