THE hugely popular Quinton Methodist Church annual Art and Craft Festival is returning this weekend.

This year is the 15th festival and will run from Friday, May 13 until Sunday, May 15.

There will be over 300 paintings and drawings from artists all over the West Midlands and there will be displays of wood crafts, weaving, handmade jewellery, ceramics, greetings cards of every description, needlework and textile printing make up the 22 craft stalls – the most ever.

Gardeners are also invited to the expanding as there will be a sale of a large variety of spring and summer plants, suitable for gardens large and small, window boxes, garden tubs and baskets and watch out for the Welly Gardens Display at the entrance. The festival will be officially opened on Saturday at 10.30am by the Lightwoods School Choir and Halesowen and Rowley Regis MP James Morris. Helena Taylor, one of the festival's organisers, said: "On the Friday evening we are also delighted to announce a concert featuring singing star Craig Yates of Only Men Aloud.

"Craig grew up in the area and is making a welcome return to Quinton Methodist Church."

The concert will begin at 7.30pm, priced £8.50, which includes interval refreshments. Tickets available on the door or from Linda and Phil Robinson on 0121 550 2463.

Mrs Taylor added: "The Festival is a regular event in the church calender with well over 600 visitors each year."

The exhibition will be open from 11am to 5pm on Friday, from 10am-5 pm on Saturda and from 2pm-4pm on Sunday.

Admission will be £1 and Café Fest will be providing food and refreshments all day.

She added: "As one visitor to the Festival last year said “it’s so good to meet up with friends and support Quinton Methodist Church’s charity each year – and I never knew there was so much local talent."

All money raised will go to this year’s church project, Up and Downs, a local charity for families with children who have Downs Syndrome.

Up and Downs provide opportunities for families to meet other families in similar situations. They offer fun family sessions and a large range of experiences for the children and their family. It all helps families to feel less isolated and provides fun sessions to share with their children and gain new and exciting experiences.

Families from across the West Midlands attend sessions. Parents can share experiences and gain support and