Tomorrow, the International Youth Arts Festival (IYAF) launches a 17-day feast of dance, theatre, music and more.

Arts leaders will impart wisdom in panel talks and workshops are on offer for budding magicians, drummers or actors.

Tomorrow night's opening event, Next Level, will see emerging artists take to the Rose Theatre stage alongside established acts, all overseen by Dobbs, a DJ from online broadcaster Break London.

On Sunday, Creative Youth honorary president Prince Edward will give his royal seal of approval at a gala evening.

Festival director Trevor Blackman said: "We've tried to really engage industry experts to come down and hopefully inspire young people. We've just really expanded.

"What we've realised is as a festival we can't be on our own. We have to get into strong partnerships - it's about supporting the next generation.

"We're also moving more into schools. One of my biggest things was about outreach. Can we inspire them to be part of a festival? If not this year, then next year."

Successes on that front include a play authored by 20 Coombe Boys School students. Called "Flight", it examines what is it like to be young and will be performed on July 10.

Mr Blackman said he had given his black book of contacts a workout in the run-up to the launch, persuading old colleagues to visit Kingston on their own time.

For example, DJ Brandon Block will play a three-hour set in the Old Post Office on July 18, then run a question-and-answer mentoring session for hopeful DJs.

Mr Blackman added: "The festival this year is different in that we've expanded to different art forms. We wanted to build on what's happened over the last six years, but make it relevant for today. That's what art should be."

For more information and a full listing of events, visit iyafestival.org.uk.