"People will be ready to celebrate!": SIRF Community Carnival is returning

The spectacular carnival will see a mass procession of hundreds of musicians, community groups, school children and street performers.

Everyone taking part will make their way from Stockton High Street down to the Riverside - with the streets set to be lined with spectators.

The Carnival will be joined by The Baghdaddies, who play music from across the world, and for the first time the Old Time Sailors, who'll take the audience back to the 19^th century.

Normally on Saturday at noon, the procession is on a Sunday this year (August 1) and starts at the slightly later time of 1.15pm.

Throughout the day there'll be live music, family entertainment, street theatre shows and creative workshops to take part in.

Councillor Jim Beall, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Health, Leisure and Culture, said: "We are so excited to be talking about our plans for SIRF this summer, all being well. After the incredibly tough last year or so, people will be ready to celebrate!

"The High Street and the Riverside will be alive with music, dancing, and the sound of communities getting together and we're expecting the town's pubs and restaurants to be a hive of activity too.

"To bring friends, neighbours and visitors together once again will be so special and it's going to be a truly memorable moment, one which is likely to go down in SIRF folklore.

"You don't want to miss it, so keep your diary free for August 1 and your eyes peeled for more SIRF announcements coming soon!"

SIRF is returning from Thursday, July 29 until Sunday, August 1.