SHIPLEY Street Arts Festival explodes into action in just three weeks with a bigger and more diverse range of performers than ever before.

Now in its third year, the three-day celebration of street theatre, circus, music and dance will see Shipley transformed into a riot of creativity and colour.

Free events across the town range from internationally touring theatrical shows to family workshops and activities.

The fun lasts from Friday, July 1 to Sunday, July 3, and this year the theme is storytelling.

Literary characters, such as Peter Rabbit, the Big Bad Wolf and the Owl and the Pussycat, will be popping up alongside a host of other storytelling events, activities and interactive trails.

This year’s headline acts, The Wheel House and Reliquary, both tackle storytelling in unique and intriguing ways.

Described as a ‘tender, post-apocalyptic love story’, Acrojou’s The Wheel House is a unique, rolling acrobatic theatre show, which unfolds inside and around a stunning circular home.

The eye-catching show travels with the audience walking alongside.

Avanti Display’s Reliquary, is a spectacular work of art featuring sophisticated electronics, mechanics and animatronics and a stunning surreal casket will make its way around Shipley allowing passers-by the opportunity to peep inside and create their own tales, stories and questions.

Both the Wheel House and Reliquary are funded by the Yorkshire Festival in partnership with Without Walls Street Arts Consortium.

“We are really delighted and excited to be part of the Yorkshire Festival which grew out of the Tour de France and is taking place across the county.

“It’s really strengthened us,” said John Lambert, director of Q20 Events which masterminds the Festival.

“Shipley has grown exponentially and is now such an exciting event.

“This year will be absolutely fantastic from quite a low key start three years ago.

“The enthusiasm of the whole community is just amazing and this will be an astonishing three days,” Mr Lambert said.

Both the Arts Trail of children’s work displayed in shops and businesses and Urban Canvas, two of the most popular events from last year’s programme, return this year.

The Arts Trail will be officially launched as part of the Schools and Community Artwork Unveiling taking place on the Friday at 12.30pm.

It will feature work from Titus Salt School, Shipley C of E Primary School, St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School and Hazelbeck School.

Alongside the range of spontaneous street performances, walkabouts, magic and stilt acts, 2016 sees the construction of a fully rigged main stage in the Market Square car park which will host music and dance.

Friday night sees the inclusion of another community partner, the Windhill Community Centre.

The centre, located in Church Street, will play host to an evening of food and entertainment.

A full programme can be found at www.shipleystreetarts.com