FROM Sherlock to East London hip-hip, Ventnor Fringe is timetabling a whole new set of acts to celebrate its 10th anniversary this summer.

The multi-venue festival will run from July 23 to July 28, promising a giant programme of artists from around the world.

Among the first to be revealed is hip-hop act Barney Artist, who fuses 90s era boom bap hip-hop with jazz. He will play a special show on Ventnor Harbour.

Spaces throughout the town are transformed and in Ventnor Park a striking new boutique big top tent, The Magpie, will provide a new focal centre.

It will be joined by a dedicated comedy and cabaret tent featuring rising stars from across the UK.

Among the first shows to be announced for The Magpie is The Hound of the Baskervilles, Arthur Conan Doyle's classic mystery, brought to life on stage in an acclaimed new production featuring Sherlock Holmes and his incomparable sidekick Dr. Jane Watson in a hilarious comedy mystery.

Ten shows went on sale this week, and there are many more to come.

Lamplighters is a silly but loving parody of John Le Carre's Cold War novels. In a one-man interactive spy story, that's part game, part interactive theatre, part improv comedy, Neil Connolly plays a spymaster and the audience his spy network.

Catch singer and composer Mike Christie at St Catherine's Church, the perfect setting for his Ol' Man River show.

Alongside his busy schedule as a member of multi-platinum vocal harmony group G4, Mike is offering an evening of well-known classics in ranging styles from musical theatre, opera and pop. There are some self-penned songs, as well as favourites by Gershwin, Elton John, Bob Dylan, and Rodgers and Hammerstein.

Fringe co-director Jack Whitewood said: "Artist entries are already up by 50 per cent on last year's record, and our new pre-Edinburgh Fringe dates are attracting talent from all over the UK and beyond, keen to preview new material. It looks set to be an incredible 10th birthday."

For more information and tickets, visit vfringe.co.uk.