AN ALIEN invasion, anorak-clad spies in City Park and more than 300 entertainers are set to make this year's Bradford Festival one to remember.

Hundreds of musicians, singers, actors, dancers, artists and craftspeople will be showcasing their talents at the three-day event organised by Bradford Council.

Andy Taylor, economic delivery manager for the local authority, said: "The Bradford Festival brings a vibrant, colourful and multicultural programme of the very best theatre, music and dance right into the heart of Bradford.

"We are delighted to be featuring so many superb local artists who will be performing alongside high quality international, British acts."

It opens on Friday, June 12 with children and community groups singing songs of peace and friendship with local folk singer-songwriter Roger Davis, in The Big Sing For Peace.

City Park will also be rocking to the sounds of Bradford's own multi-award winning blues and rock powerhouse Chantelle McGregor and Queensbury-born teen singer-songwriting sensation Oliver Pinder.

Local Americana rock band, DMA and popular local folk duo, Plumhall, will also take to the stage along with up-and-coming Bradford band ISSIMO.

Saturday's line-up disco rock 'n' rollers Happy Daggers will entertain City Park audiences along with a flash choir and Topic Folk Club's Roger Davis and Plumhall will reappear on stage with bright young Bradford talent Bella Gaffney.

Actors from The Bradford Playhouse will stage Alien Invasion, a comical and interactive theatrical piece created especially for the festival when festival goers will be encouraged to repel the invasion as the aquaphobic aliens crash into the Mirror Pool, saving the city by hurling water soaked sponges at them.

Bradford Specialist Autism Services, an agency supporting adults with autism and Asperger's Syndrome, has also produced two humorous street theatre pieces.

Anorak-clad Spies will attempt bodged surveillance of City Park while the hapless strolling Sunbridge Colliery Band will draw smiles with their out-of-tune horns and out-of-step marches.

And Bradford's leading arts organisation, Kala Sangam, will bring together six percussionists from different cultural heritages to produce a feast of rhythms from around the world in Jazz in the City.

People will also be able to enjoy a medieval story reimagined through a ‘pop-up story walk' with comedic routines, song and knockabout humour in The Boar/Bore of Bradford by local company Fresh Aire Productions.

As well as lots of street entertainment and interactive theatre, Bradford Council has also arranged for more than 40 artists, craftspeople, actors and performers to offer workshops and activities in a special tented area in Norfolk Gardens.