THE first day of the inaugural Selby Arts Festival sees the event start with five completely sold out shows.

Anyone planning to visit the festival is urged to book ahead, after Seth Lakeman, Rugby Songs, Ed Byrne and two Ugly Duckling shows have already been booked to capacity.

David Edmunds, festival director, said: “This is a very positive time for Selby, during the next nine days, the festival will be bring culture to the heart of the Town Centre.

“Our ticketed events with headline acts like Ed Byrne and Seth Lakeman have been received really well, which is encouraging and shows that the people of Selby are keen to take part in this type of event.”

Also selling out fast is Thursday’s Baby Rave, an event aimed at children aged five and under, along with their parents, to dance and play to music at The Venue.

Tickets are also still available forAccelerate - a production at the Summit Indoor Adventure centre which promises “a night of beats, music, arts and skating”, on Tuesday - and The Grand Old Uke Of York’s performance at The Venue on Thursday.

The festival’s closing show on July 30 - by indie-folk quartet Patch & The Giant - will take place at the River Mills Ballroom, and also has places available.

Mr Edmunds said he hoped the festival would keep people excited about the town, with the focus on getting the public involved.

He said: “Our ‘pop up’ artists will be around the town performing, injecting energy and creating exciting talking points.

“Things are changing in Selby and I hope this festival will change people’s perceptions of what is possible in our town.”

For more information or tickets go to selbyartsfestival.co.uk