THE Sacred Music Festival returns to Stroud with a message of unity and peace.

The event, set to take place on July 1 and 2, grew from an idea of Stroud priest Rev Simon Howell, who shares with festival co-director Girish Patel the belief that music is the language of the heart, and can succeed in bringing unity and peace where dialogue often fails.

St Laurence Church, in the heart of the town centre, is once again to be the hub of this year’s festival.

Girish Patel said, “The response to last year’s sell-out event exceeded our expectations, and this has enthused us to expand it over two days this year.”

“The Sacred Music Festival is essentially an act of peace.

"We have brought together outstanding and soulful musicians from many spiritual paths this year - including from Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Jewish, Sikh, anthroposophical and indigenous traditions - in this expression of unity.”

The event begins on the evening of Friday 1st July with a line up topped by international group the Ganda Boys, who are huge stars in their homeland of Uganda.

They are supported by Fiona and Paul-Heartsongs and the world fusion devotional dance band The Raga Babas.

There will be a free Sikh Bhangra workshop at the Sub Rooms on Saturday morning, followed by a procession through the town, arriving at St Laurence Church at 1pm. This heralds the start of varied sacred music workshops throughout the afternoon at only £3, payable at the door.

An impressive line-up of artists in the evening are headlined by the world-renowned duo Susheela Raman and Sam Mills, who have taken their vibrant Sufi/Bhakti musical sounds all over the globe.

The lead up to the headline act is equally exciting with Wynstones Phoenix Choir, Qi Rattan's soothing Sikh songs and the Tribal Rhythms Orchestra merging indigenous earth sounds of the didjeridoo with the sublime tones of the contemporary hang.

Craig Pruess brings two tracks from his million selling album, "Sacred Chants of Buddha" accompanied by Jon Sterckx playing tabla and Paul Ellson on percussion.

Jean-Paul Wabotai brings his unique and transcendent gospel sounds of the Congo to Stroud with his choir which he assembled especially for this occasion.

Tickets (Friday evening £10; Saturday evening £15; Friday and Saturday £22.50; Children under 10 go free) available via www.sacredmusicfestival.org.uk Parking in Church Street car park next to the church is free after 6pm on Friday and free from 5pm on Saturday.