The Island's biggest festival for music, speech and dance begins today.

The Manx Music Festival, or 'The Guild' as it's more commonly known, takes place at the Villa Marina until a week tomorrow.

Some 2,000 people of all ages will be competing across 165 classes.

The Royal Hall at the Villa will come alive for the next nine days of competition.

It all reaches a climax on the night of Saturday, May 3 when the winners of six of the solo classes compete for The Guild's ultimate prize, the Cleveland Medal.

Similarly, winners of nine junior categories bid to win the Sheffield Plate.

Judging the acts on the final night will be international mezzo soprano Maria Jagusz, who will also perform for the audience.

Manx Radio will have extensive coverage of the festival throughout its duration.