The curtain is to go up next year on a spectacular 16-day arts festival.

Organisers in Thame aim to involve everyone in the town. The festival 2001: A Thame Odyssey will run from March 23 through to April 7. A highlight will be a river of light and sound, with an evening carnival procession ending with the burning of a giant sculpture built on the Southern Road recreation ground.

Other events will include people creating a community web site, a video of events in Thame which took place in 2000, stand-up comedy, festival theatre, photography and dance.