A HAIR salon with a difference set up shop on a town’s high street for one day only when artistic coiffeurs invited unsuspecting passers by to sit in their barber’s chair.

'Whose hair dares' by Spanish actors, Osadia, was one of several street theatre performances taking place at Stockton International Riverside Festival (SIRF).

Showing off their own elaborate hairstyles, the artistic duo created weird and wonderful hair sculptures on shoppers.

Nearby at Trinity Church, visitors were invited to wear a recycled coat at an intimate show called Artica by Ponten Pie, also from Spain. Moving visuals and poetry were designed to help people reminisce about fond memories.

And a humorous gadgetry-inspired performance, Thingamabob by PanGottic, entertained crowds when the chain reaction machine and complex human cannon came to life.

The North-East’s biggest community carnival involving more than a thousand people takes place tomorrow (Saturday) at noon when under the theme, Voyages of Discovery, there will be colour, costumes and characters dancing to a samba beat.

The Mexican ‘Day of the Dead’ provides inspiration for the finale parade starting at 9.30pm on Sunday night which will see Les Tambours de la Muerte by Transe Express from France round off the weekend with music, costumes giant puppets and fireworks.