FORMER Stone Roses man Aziz Ibrahim is one of many guitar gods preparing to play at next week's International Guitar Festival.

The three-day event brings a long weekend of concerts, workshops and masterclasses and a chance for the public to strum along with guitar greats at the Brewery Arts Centre.

With a style pitched somewhere between rock and raga Ibrahim kicks off the fledgling festival alongside world-class jazz flamenco guitarist Eduardo Niebla and Pierre Bensuan on June 4.

Saturday (June 5) brings workshops and masterclasses with Pierre Bensusan and Eduardo Niebla, while the evening sees John Renbourn, Clive Carroll and Eric Roche in concert. Wilco Johnson is supported by Gerry Gillard in the Malt Room.

Sunday night and the finale of the festival features workshops with the likes of Eric Roche and guitarists' guitarist Jerry Donahue.

The Kendal International Guitar Festival runs from June 4-6. Tickets are available for individual events.

For more information, call the Brewery Arts Centre Box Office on 01539-725133.