The villages of Goring and Streatley-on-Thames are bracing themselves for 10 days of cultural events as hosts of the biennial GAP Festival.

The festival, due to run from June 7-16, will feature more than 50 cultural events at various venues and has been put together by volunteers.

The festival will "take audiences beyond the realms of creativity, artistry and possibility, through the power of culture".

The line-up of events features an evening with mandolin player Simon Mayor and Friends.

Scheduled for June 7, it promises music and "humorous anecdotes".

A day later, on June 8, there will be a range of space-related activities.

The day will be filled with crafts, stargazing, an evening with space scientists, and a planetarium experience with Goring's space technology company, OrbAstro.

This year's festival will see the return of the The Children’s Film Festival, where shortlisted short films produced by young people in Berkshire and Oxfordshire will be screened at a red carpet premiere on Sunday, June 9.

On the same day, female voice ensemble Papagena will perform sacred works, contemporary madrigals, Celtic ballads, folk legends, and lullabies

True crime author Helen Saxton will decode the mystery around the infamous Amanda Knox case in a session on June 10.

The case surrounds the murder of British student Meredith Kercher in 2007.

Meanwhile, botanist and horticulturalist Timothy Walker's talk on the art of garden design and its evolution over four centuries in Oxfordshire is set for June 11.

A one-woman performance on Agatha Christie’s 1926 disappearance titled 'Where is Mrs Christie?' will take place on June 12 and includes a Q&A after the show.

Audiences can also anticipate the June 13 revival of The Adventures of Doctor Dolittle by Illyria, hosted in a private garden by the Thames.

The following day brings an performance with songs about science and maths by geek songstress, Helen Arney, before the festival ends with a three-day performance of Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro from June 14-16.

A range of music performances, special interest talks, art workshops, and free children’s activities will be announced as part of the full 10 day programme next month.

Artistic director of The GAP Festival, Ginny Avery, said: "We are incredibly excited about this year’s Festival, which will offer audiences of all ages the chance to explore a diverse range of exciting cultural experiences.

"From out of this world science events, magical theatrical performances, thought-provoking talks, to opportunities to try out different artistic workshops and music that transcends the ears - there will be something for everyone."

Tickets will be available for general purchase from April 1, with many events free for under 18s.