This 21st birthday of the Leicester Early Music Festival will be celebrated with a number of high-profile events, including a concert featuring Dame Emma Kirkby at the opening recital on May 26.

From the little acorn planted 21 years ago, the LEMF has grown into a mighty oak that is now the second largest early music festival in England, running for three weeks.

It's not just a music festival; there are all sorts of "fringe" events, some with a heritage or historical aspect, such as dancing, ghost walks and workshops.

Others are concerned primarily with the good things of life, such as food and drink.

It's a successful combination that has earned a large and loyal following.

The inspiration behind the LEMF is its jovial founder, John Bence, and when we met to chat recently he told me about its history.

He said: "When the Early Music Festival was born, back in 1990, there was almost no early music performed in Leicester, but as our festival has passed through its infancy, early childhood and teenage years, so the early music scene has grown with it.

"Now early music is performed regularly at the Castle Park Festival and at St James the Greater, the Richard Attenborough Centre and various other venues throughout the year, and there is now a very large band of devoted followers.

"Early music in Leicester has entered adult life."

There's no doubt the festival has attracted a wide audience with an equally wide age range.

John and his team have always been keen to encourage youngsters and many festival events are organised with them in mind.

As he says: "Early music can have a massive appeal to youngsters who become absorbed with its vibrancy, the colours of the instrumental sounds and the intricacies of the rhythms."

For the older festival fans, along with the concerts there are beer, wine and whisky tasting evenings and even an 18th century-style "gastronomic feast".

The festival also uses some of the city's most attractive and historic buildings, like the Guildhall, Castle House and the churches of St Mary de Castro, St Margaret's and St Nicholas.

Summing up the 21 years of LEMF, John says: "I am proud early music has been brought to such a diverse audience and many 'non musicians' have been involved in such an exciting and colourful aspect of our musical heritage."

This year's Leicester Early Music Festival runs from May 23 to June 12. For full details or a brochure call the festival office on 0116 270 9984 or visit:

www.earlymusicleicester.co.uk