Thousands of people are expected to be in Devizes for the free International Street Festival on Sunday and Monday.

Organised by Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts (DOCA) during Devizes Carnival fortnight, artistic director Jo Beal said Devizes would be transformed by top international performers.

She said: “We are presenting a spectacular programme of street theatre, contemporary circus and walkabout performances from some of the UK’s and Europe’s best companies.

“This year we are delighted to be working with Signing Works to provide British Sign Language interpretation at many of the shows.

"Accessibility and diversity are a theme of this year’s programme, so we’re looking forward to welcoming several companies who feature disabled and non-disabled performers, integrated signing and hearing loops as part of the performance.

"Check the A-boards at each pitch for more news on where the interpreters will be.”

Spectacular performances will include Carnage Productions, from France, who will be abseiling from the top of the Town Hall on Monday, while a six metre tall iron puppet will be the star of an adaptation of Ted Hughes’s The Iron Giant on Sunday.

Among those returning to the festival are Richard Garaghty and Goronwy Thom with their hilarious routines while a number of emerging companies will be performing.

These include third year students at Circomedia in Bristol performing their show, Doo-Lolly, Tit for Tat with their show A Most Dangerous Cup of Tea and Can’t Sit Still who are debuting their show A Small Chance of Showers.

Bands taking part include Cumbia All Stars from Peru, Lucky Peterson, a blues artist from America, and Giant Sequoia, an eight piece reggae band.

Sunday’s entertainment is on The Green while Monday’s is in the Market Place and surrounding streets.

Devizes Carnival programmes, listing all the 34 acts and the times they are performing, are available from Brittox News and Devizes Books, at £2.