The most ambitious ever Gloucester History Festival gets under way this weekend with a fun-filled Gloucester Day on Saturday and a outstanding line-up of stars and fantastic events over the next two weeks.

Gloucester Day starts tomorrow with the Mock Mayor of Barton's Parade at 11am, beginning in Eastgate Street, then going over The Cross into Westgate Street with the popular Mayor-making ceremony at 11.20am at The Cross.

There will be a Gloucester Day Thanksgiving Service at St Mary de Crypt Church at noon to which everyone is invited and then at 2pm the Gloucester Day Parade. This is a major event bringing together all social and community groups, showing their pride in the city with a spectacle through the city streets.

Commemorating the end of the Civil War Siege of Gloucester, the event will feature stalls, stages, live music and dance.

Over the next two weeks Gloucester History Festival (2 - 17 September) includes an impressive programme of TV personalities, top historians, actors and leading politicians with attractions and activities to suit all ages and tastes.

Gloucester's rich heritage, culture and hidden architectural treasures will be brought to life during the Heritage Open Days taking place from September 7-10 and provide a unique and free access to many historic gems that are rarely open to the public.

It features over 120 events including guided walks, cultural venues and music and talks. From the Great Gloucester Gargoyle Walk to Tommi Nielsen's Dry Docks, there really will be something of interest for everyone during the Heritage Open Days.

And children of all ages will discover that history can be fun during Gloucester History Festival's Family Day from 10am to 4pm on Saturday, September 9. Meet the animals at St James City Farm; write your own charter in the Scriptorium at Blackfriars Priory or find out how Medieval Barber Surgeon John Putley treated his unfortunate patients!

Gloucester Life Museum in Westgate Street will hold free drop-in activities throughout the day with a Tudor theme.

Guest speakers at the History Festival including TV's Countryfile presenter Anita Rani, ever popular TV broadcaster Dan Snow, former Chancellor of the Exchequer Ken Clarke and Tony Robinson, TV's Baldrick and Time Team presenter.

"Revolution and Innovation" is the theme of the fantastic Festival with the stars lined up to appear at the Blackfriars Talks (September 9-17).

City Voices (September 2-17) features events in stunning locations across the city with historical and community talks, musical events and concerts, hands-on workshops, family shows including storytelling, nature trails and pop-up activities.

These include Hands on History: Oral History offering free entry to former Dowty employees willing to have their memories recorded (Chapter House, Gloucester Cathedral September 12). Paul Evans and Sally Middleton from Gloucestershire Archives will give tips on how to carry out oral history interviews. Tickets are normally £5 and require pre-booking.

Overall, the range of events at the Gloucester History Festival is vast and varied. Paddy O'Connell from BBC Radio 4's Broadcasting House will talk about Capt. Jerry Roberts, one of the greatest codebreakers at Bletchley Park who helped win the Second World War (September 15).

David Olusoga, one of the presenters of the new BBC2 Civilisations history series, will ask whether TV can bring history and art to the people and change lives (September 10).

The History Festival is breaking new ground with the first public event for Shaun Greenhalgh , one of the world's greatest art forgers who fooled many of the experts. He will discuss the forger's skills with Sunday Times art critic Waldemar Januszczak (September 16).

And fans of Radio 4's serial about country folk, The Archers, are in for a treat. Actor Barry Farrimond who plays the character Ed Grundy, agricultural story editor Graham Harvey and writer Joanna Toye will talk about the world's longest running radio soap opera (September 12).

Canon Nikki Arthy, Rector of St Mary de Lode, said: "This year's History Festival looks so attractive and interesting - it really goes from strength to strength each year."

Value day passes are available Monday to Friday for the Blackfriars Talks and start from just £15 for a whole day's events.

For further details about all the festival events and to book tickets visit www.gloucesterhistoryfestival.co.uk  call the box office on 01452 396572 or visit the Tourist Information Centre at 28 Southgate Street, Gloucester GL1 2DP.