SWALEDALE Festival, the annual celebration of music, arts and walking in the northern Yorkshire Dales, has appointed Fraser Wilson as its new artistic director.

Mr Wilson takes up the baton from previous director Malcolm Creese, who undertook the role for 17 years.

He joins the team from the internationally renowned Britten Pears Arts in Suffolk where he was Head of Performance and Public Engagement, closely involved in world-class cultural programmes.

Originally from Scotland, Wilson has two decades of arts experience that span the length and breadth of the British Isles. He also has two decades as a professional music-maker.

On announcing the appointment, chairman of Swaledale Festival Dr Susan Miller said: "Under Malcolm’s leadership the festival has grown from a relatively small-scale series of concerts to become the highly successful, wide-ranging and much-respected festival of today, and we would like to pay tribute to his commitment and vision.

“We are delighted to have appointed Fraser Wilson as our new artistic director and are very excited about the next chapter in the festival's story.”

Mr Wilson said: “It is a wonderful festival, in a stunning part of the world, with decades of success behind it and a thriving present."