WHAT IS expected to be the last annual Dundee guitar festival started yesterday, celebrating top professionals and giving encouragement to enthusiastic amateurs.

The three-day event in the Caird Hall complex features a mix of concerts and classes and last night saw the first performance in the city by Hungarian twins Peter and Zoltan Katona, who have previously graced such famous venues as Carnegie Hall in New York and Vienna’s Konzerthaus.

Continuing the international theme today will be Czech virtuoso Pavel Steidl and one of Scotland’s top classical players, Simon Thacker, will also be on stage at Marryat Hall.

Tomorrow will see a concert by some of the UK’s up-and-coming guitarists before the festival ends with a “night of a 100 guitars” featuring a variety of solo and duo performances and even a guitar orchestra.

Classes aimed at all levels are guided by a teaching team including the festival’s artistic director Allan Neave, a senior lecturer at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.