THOUSANDS are expected to visit Scarborough for its annual arts festival.

The three-day Coastival festival opens tomorrow (Friday, February 14) and will feature 100 events – the majority of which are free.

One of the highlights will be Orpheus the Mariner, a two-part seafront street performance featuring large puppets by the Animated Objects Theatre Company.

On Saturday (February 15), at 6.30pm, they will attempt to break the record for creating the world’s largest puppet during a workshop on Valley Road.

The festival - which runs from Friday to Sunday (February 16) - also features a diverse range of music, theatre, films, dance, performance and visual arts, as well as ‘Rollercoastival’ activities for children and young people.

Orpheus the Mariner will be staged on Scarborough seafront from 5.30pm on 14th and 15th February.

There will also be a number of jazz, folk music acts at the Spa Grand Hall and on Saturday and Sunday there will be free Acoustic Lounge sessions at Farrer’s Bar.

For more details or tickets, visit: www.coastival.com or through the Spa Box Office on 01723 357869 (10am to 3pm).

For more information on Coastival visit www.coastival.com