Families are welcome as this year's Maidstone River Festival kicks off tomorrow.

The Maidstone River Festival, held tomorrow (see library picture, left), will be a festival of music, dance and activity, but will this year be particularly geared towards families until 6.30pm.

The family zone in Whatman Park will include dancers. Outside the Archbishop's Palace, there will be music by buskers and charity stalls, while at the All Saints' stage, which will be set up in the car park next to the church, there will music, magicians and other acts through the day.

The day will be opened at 11am by the Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr Eric Hotson. The raft race is sponsored by Strata Construction and there will be a fireworks finale.