TOWN centre shoppers will witness an explosion of colourful entertainment when the Swin-don Summer Festival kicks off.

Swindon's biggest street party will feature 70 performances over five days from Wednesday, July 17.

It starts in the Parade outside Debenhams with the Gandini Jugglers on the Wednesday.

The highlight of the weekend will be the Atlantis Carnival Parade through the town centre involving 200 local children.

This will be supported by 45 street performers who will entertain the crowds playing music, walking the trapeze and performing acrobatics.

The festival ends on Sunday, July 18 with the London School Of Samba teaming up with the Neighbourhood Watch Stilts International puppet troupe for a street party finale.

Other entertainment during the event includes a short show, The Pig, which takes place in a model of a 30-ft long sleeping sow.

Coun Ian Dobie, the deputy leader of Swindon Council, said: "The Swindon Summer festival continues to be Swindon's most spectacular event of the year.

"The wonderful array of performers will bring colour, vibrancy and a real festival atmosphere to our town centre and it is definitely not be missed."

The festival is organised by the council's Artscape group and also brings music, dance, comedy and acrobatic displays from Kenya and China.

It has been sponsored by Reckitt Benckiser, which manufactures household products including Dettol and Harpic brands.

The firm's spokeswoman, Emma Gilbert, said: "We're really looking forward to the festival with such a wonderful collection of performers."

More information about the full programme and times will be published shortly.

Catherine Turnbull