FESTIVAL fever is gripping Stroud as the town gears up for an unprecedented three days of live music and performance at this year's new-look Fringe.

Thousands are expected to visit the town this weekend to watch scores of local bands playing on three stages across the streets of Stroud, street entertainment and performances in town venues, pubs and cafes.

The festival was thought doomed when the previous organisers pulled out last year - but a team of volunteers stepped in with a determination not to let the event die.

"There is a real buzz about it," said organiser Roger Sanders. "It has been a lot of work but I just couldn't see the Fringe fall apart.

"With just a few days to go it is all looking really exciting. It is all about the town entertaining itself - and best of all, it is free."

Among the bands playing on the stages at Nelson Street, the Cornhill and King Street are well-known local favourites such as Superjuice, Popgang, Ska Daddy and Phazer.

Matt Pollard, lead singer of Nailsworth rockers The Form, said: "We are really looking forward to it. The Fringe is always good fun and this year its going to be a lot bigger."

Hamish Guerrini, eccentric frontman of Nailstock headliners The Mad Cows, was also eagerly anticipating the event.

"We are playing on the Nelson Street stage, so there should be a lot of fun and frolics up there," he said.

"If there are lots of people, which I'm sure there will be, it will be a brilliant showcase for all this local talent. We will certainly be having it large."

In addition to the street stages there will be a host of events at Stroud venues The Space and the Subscription Rooms, including everything from world-class poets to Greek myths.

And Stroud's pubs and cafes will be holding their own events - the Retreat's Guinness and Oyster Festival and the Queen Victoria will be hosting their own live music and a real ale festival.