Miss Little today said: "I am very excited to be participating in the Beverley and East Riding Folk Festival. I love the town of Beverley and have played there on several occasions. "The audience has always been tremendously warm.

"I think the town is special for its community atmosphere and this is why I am looking forward to bringing my project to the community, in particular to the children. I'm also excited to experience the diversity of events at the festival, as this is not something I am frequently able to do."

The festival's artistic director Chris Wade is thrilled. She contacted the violinist after hearing an interview on BBC Radio 4, in which Miss Little spoke about her campaign to reach people who are switched off by the words "classical music".

Miss Wade said: "We are very excited at involving Tasmin in the weekend and getting her to work alongside our young and older musicians from folk and other backgrounds.

"For our 25th anniversary, we want to make this festival accessible to everyone and this is a good start.