MUSIC lovers are offered a feast of entertainment at a historic church.

St Mary's Parish Church on the town square is launching another series of summer lunchtime concerts, providing a haven where visitors can eat their sandwiches while listening to first class music - all for free.

The series starts on June 10, and will continue throughout the summer until the final concert on September 2.

The only exception will be on June 17 when the church hosts its Flower Festival.

Three of this year's highlights involve artists making their debut at St Mary's.

The opening concert on June 10 will be given by Sandbach percussionist Chris Bastock from the leading percussion ensemble Backbeat, and will feature music for the unusual combination of percussion and soprano - Lyn Butterworth, of Sandbach.

On July 22 Stoke-born French horn player Elizabeth Chell, who appeared on TV in April as one of the semi-finalists in the brass section of the BBC Young Musician of the Year, will be making her first appearance in Nantwich.

Her accompanist will be the well known Manchester pianist Russell Lomas. One of the country's leading recorder players, John Turner from Manchester, will be in church on August 12 playing to the accompaniment of the church director of music Tony Metcalfe on piano and harpsichord.

Visitors can look forward to the return of several favourites including singers Stephen Newlove from Warrington, and Emma Peaurt from Farndon, and young Wistaston pianist James Batty.

Mr Metcalfe said: 'This is the 16th summer we have been staging the concerts, when we invite the public to bring their sandwiches into the church at lunchtimes and enjoy 45 minutes of music.'

Concerts start at 12.30pm, admission is free but visitors can contribute to a collection at the end of the performance.