A POPULAR summer festival has been extended to include a visit Bishop Auckland this August Bank Holiday.

International street performers will visit the town to put on a show combining humour, acrobatics and slapstick comedy.

The artists have visited Durham city centre as part of the Durham Streets Summer Festival for the last eight years.

After a successful expansion to Barnard Castle last year and a 20,000-strong crowd, organisers have made the move into Bishop Auckland.

Kate James, Durham County Council’s festival manager, said: “The festival is essentially a circle show and street theatre that has just grown and grown in popularity since it started eight years ago.

“We are really looking forward to coming to Bishop Auckland. We took one of our performers to the town to do a taster show and he went down a storm, people thought he was amazing.

“It’s such a lovely, relaxing and funny atmosphere that you can’t help but enjoy this festival.”

The free three day event, that was developed to make the most out of outdoor spaces, will take place in Durham, Barnard Castle and Bishop Auckland.

Confirmed acts include Fatt Matt, voted the best performer at the 2012 festival, an acrobat who can balance three eggs on a chopstick on his nose, and execute a one armed handstand on top of sixteen glasses.

Axe juggler, J-P Koala will make his first appearance at the Durham Streets Summer Festival this year along with returning comedy acts Todd Various and Maynard Flip Flap.

Kate James added: “We have put together some new performers along with some of our favourites so the audience at Bishop really get a taste of the festival.

“There’s no barrier or stage, it’s right there in the middle of the street and there’s so much going on that it will keep grownups and children entertained for hours. You really will find something for all tastes.”

“You go away with aching cheeks because you’ve been laughing and smiling so much.”

The festival opens on Saturday August 23 at 11.30am in Bishop Auckland town centre and will finish at 3pm.

For a full itinerary or more information, visit durhamstreetsof.co.uk