More than 60 bands from across the globe will take to the stage at Britain's ÒWomadÓ music festival, which began in Reading on Friday.

The Womad USA festival, in Seattle, is taking place at the same time.

The British event includes performances from Cuban bass maestro Cachaito Lopez, Spanish flamenco star Jose Merce and British group Asian Dub Foundation. Also appearing on the five stages are the Afro-Cuban All-Stars, Rwandan singer Cecile Kayirebwa, Brazilian songwriter Bebel Gilberto and Armenian duduk flute master Djivan Gasparyan.

Seattle will play host to Isaac Hayes, Peter Gabriel and Youssou N'Dour.

More than 19,000 fans are expected to gather at the UK festival - one of more than 12 Womad events around the world.

Other forthcoming Womad dates include festivals in Singapore, Prague, South Africa and the Canary Islands.