Around 3,000 people are expected to attend the return of the M Festival this weekend.

Hosted at The Marlborough Science Academy and now in its 8th year, the music event has raised nearly £50,000 for the school since it started in 2010.

The festival opens with a special performance by the St Albans Orchestra and then live music will continue across two stages on Saturday, July 15.

There will be performances from local bands such as Billington & Quinn, The Ska Faces, Late Day Breakers, Charly G, Magician’s Nephew, Alexis Kings and Concrete Caverns, as well as musical talent from the school itself.

There will also be a zorbing arena, dodgems, teacups, face painting, bouncy castle, henna tattoos, caricaturist, mini-pamper treatments, hair braiding, jousting, bungee run, a kids zone and art workshops will also be running.

This year not only will the festival be raising money for the PTA of The Marlborough Science Academy, but also supporting two St Albans charities, YouthTalk and Electric Umbrella.

Gates open at 2pm with live music from 2:30pm closing at 11pm with a fireworks finale. Details: themfestival.co.uk