POET Pam Ayres gives a flavour of her verse-writing talent at The Lowry in Salford on Friday.

More than 30 years after she was given her musical break on TV show Opportunity Knocks, the star of Radio 4's Ayres On The Air is still performing.

For tickets, priced £15, call the box office on 0870 787 5780.

n A DANCE production staged by Kylie Minogue's choreographer twists its way to the Contact Theatre in October.

Spanish born Luciano Berio's work straddles the worlds of pop and contemporary dance. His latest work Voices, performed by six dancers, showcases a contrast in performance styles.

Voices plays at the Manchester theatre on October 24 and tickets, priced £10, can be booked by ringing 0161 274 0600.

n A QUARTET of stand up comedians take to the mic at Northwich Memorial Hall for an evening of fun and laughter.

The Purple Cactus Comedy Club welcomes stand up stalwarts Rob Heeney, Colin Cole, Omar Marzouk and Richard Morton to the stage on Friday, July 21.

Tickets for the event are £9 in advance and £10 on the door. Doors opens at 7.30pm and the show starts at 8.30pm. For more information and bookings ring 01606 814640 or 867539.

n AN exhibition unravelling the mystery of family trees is taking root at Tatton Park this month.

A display of rare Egerton family pictures, archive records and other types of family memorabilia are on display and visitors will get the chance to learn about tracing their ancestors.

The exhibition takes place until October 1, between 1pm and 4pm. Ring 01625 534400 for admission details.

n ALL the world will be a garden at Arley Hall this month in a perennial event aimed at green-fingered visitors.

On July 13 the stately home invites garden lovers to All The World's A Garden - an event that begins with a tour of the gardens with head gardener Patrick Swan.

Returning to the hall, guests will get the chance to enjoy refreshments before being invited into the Cruck Barn for theatrical floral art demonstrations by leading Cheshire demonstrators Val Seed and Pam Dimeloe, and all arrangements will be raffled off at the end of the evening.

The event takes place between 5.30pm and 8.30pm and tickets, priced £25, can be booked by ringing 01565 777353.

n AS part of this year's Liverpool Comedy Festival one of stand up's most legendary comedians will be paid tribute to.

The Bill Hick's Slight Return Show honours the deadpan American great, who died in 1994, and comedian Chas Early looks at what Hicks might have made of the world today.

The show plays at the Royal Court Theatre on July 19 and tickets, priced £8, can be booked by ringing 0151 709 4321.