Entrant numbers for the Manx Music, Speech and Dance Festival have increased since last year.

Overall entries for the festival, also known as the Guild, have slightly risen.

Th number of dance entrants has more than doubled from 34 last year to 72 competitors for 2018.

Entries for this year’s festival, which will be celebrating its 126th year from April 20 to April 28 at the Villa Marina, have now closed.

Guild chairman Sarah Kelly said: ’We are especially delighted that some of our more recently-introduced classes have proven successful.

’The Battle of the Bands has established itself as a brilliant opening evening at the Guild, and we are over the moon to have 18 local rock bands taking part this year. It will be a fabulous night and adjudicator Paul Roberts, former frontman of the Stranglers, will really have his work cut out.

’It is very encouraging to see such large numbers of competitors in our dance classes this year. We introduced dance just over three years ago and entries have been steady up until now - this year entries have more than doubled! Unsurprisingly, our choir classes are as popular and busy as ever.

’It is wonderful to see a rise in entries in most disciplines at the Guild, namely brass, dance, instrumental and vocal. Taking part in the Guild seems to be fashionable once again and while some traditional music festivals in England are now in decline, our festival is stronger than ever.

’Every year adjudicators comment on the outstanding talent we have in the Isle of Man, and we are looking forward to another exceptional year.

’To see the festival still growing with such a rosy future ahead is something the island should be very proud of, and there will certainly be something for everyone to enjoy at the Villa Marina during Guild week.’

The Guild will finish with the ’Festival’s Finest’ showcase on the final evening, which will feature some of the performances of the week, including the first performance by the 2018 Cleveland Medal winner.

This year’s finals will include the vocal ensemble class, as well as the finals for the Cleveland Medal, vocal duets and children’s Sheffield Plate.

Season tickets for the Manx Music Festival will be available from March 1 at £35 each to see all sessions, with the exception of the Festival’s Finest show, which will cost an additional £10 for adults, and £5 for under-18s.

General daytime admissions will be £4 each or £5 for evening sessions. Under-18s will have free entry.

The festival is in association with the property development company, Dandara Group.