Live music will be hosted in Hucknall every Thursday evening this August thank to a government grant.

Ashfield District Council has received £114k from the government's Welcome Back Fund some of which will be used to put on a timetable of events throughout the summer.

Summer Strings will bring the finest String Quartets and Trios to the pedestrianised High Street to play a range of music, from 6pm - 9pm every Thursday for four weeks.

There will also be a new table top sale and special exhibitions (such as birds of prey and vintage buses) each month.

Following on from the success of Ashfield Virtual Art Fest, organised and produced by local resident Claire Finn, Ashfield District Council will be installing art around the district for residents and visitors to enjoy. The artwork ranges from children's drawings to paintings by local artists, and will be displayed throughout summer until winter.

Hucknall will also be home to Ashfield's first ever Food and Drink Festival in August, with over 20 stalls filling the High Street with street food, artisan produce, chef demonstrations, and craft beers and ciders.

Leader of Ashfield District Council Cllr Jason Zadrozny said: "It is fantastic that after such a long and isolating 18 months, we can start to plan events and activities again that will bring the whole community together. The Welcome Back Funding has allowed us to try out new events, such as Summer Strings and the first ever Food and Drink Festival.

"It is set to be an exciting few months and as our town centres start filling up again it is great to give everyone events to look forward to. We want to create buzzing and welcoming town centres once again to aid the high street in recovering after the pandemic."