PERFORMERS, children and creative community groups have teamed up for Shipley’s spectacular three-day Street Arts Festival, which kicks off tomorrow morning.

Now in its third year, the celebration of theatre, circus, music and dance features international artists, but also local groups and schools.

This year’s theme is storytelling and life-size literary characters, such as Peter Rabbit, the Big Bad Wolf and the Owl and the Pussycat, will be popping up throughout the festival.

This year’s headline acts tackle storytelling in unique and intriguing ways. They include the Wheel House, a rolling acrobatic theatre show, which unfolds inside and around a stunning circular home as it travels with the audience walking alongside.

Performed by Acrojou, it will entertain crowds tomorrow and on Saturday before continuing a global tour.

Avanti Display will present Reliquary, a spectacular work of art and engineering in a surreal casket that will make its way around Shipley giving passers-by the opportunity to peep inside and create their own tales from what they see.

John Lambert, of organiser Q20, said: “We’ve worked extra hard to involve a lot of children to give pride in Shipley and a feel-good factor to start the summer.

“I’m looking forward to the Giant Heron, back by popular demand on Saturday.”

Arts group Sponge Tree take over Shipley Library for a weekend of creating props, costumes, puppets and creatures from Jeanne Willis’ book The King of Tiny Things.

Urban Canvas will be reinvigorating Well Croft Precinct with colour and street art while the Arts Trail, which showcases hundreds of pieces of artwork by local schools in shop and business windows, will help turn the town into an art gallery.

The schools’ and community artwork will be unveiled tomorrow at 12.30pm. Schools taking part include Titus Salt School, Shipley C of E Primary School, St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School and Hazelbeck School.

Friday night sees Windhill Community Centre host an evening of food and dance.

“This is our second year and we’re very pleased to be involved,” said centre chairman Gianfranco Sabelli.

Saturday night sees the return of the Festival’s Cabaret Heaven at Merchant Quay.

The Festival finishes on Sunday with an inaugural poetry evening, led by local poet Jo Brandon at the Interlude tea room, Westgate.