STUNNING fire gardens, circus troupes, live art and comedy will all be on show from today as Sirf returns to Stockton Town Centre with more than 100 shows.

The festival, which runs until Sunday, will celebrate the redevelopment of the area with four days packed full of spectacular street theatre, dance and music productions from all around the world.

Here are just a few of the highlights.

For more go to sirf.co.uk

The Boat
The Circus Troupe

Thursday (8.45pm)

The Northern Echo:

SIRF15 starts when the circus comes to town! Embellished boats full of circus performers will dart across the River Tees in a playful performance where The Circus Troupe disembark and lead the audience along the Riverside to see the BoO, by Cirk Vost.

Love Struck
Ballet Lorent

Friday & Saturday (10.15pm)

The Northern Echo:

Ballet Lorent will tell the story of the meeting of John Walker and Vesta from the visiting circus and the invention of the friction match. This will be the first show that SIRF will present in the new Central Garden fountain area. Directed by Liv Lorent, and performed by dancers Natalie Trewinnard and Gavin Coward with set design by Phil Eddolls, music by Scott Twynholm, costumes by Kevin Pollard, and lighting from Malcolm Rippeth.

Trinity Fire Garden
Cie Carabosse (France)

Saturday & Sunday (11.30pm)

The Northern Echo:

At the weekend Cie Carabosse, the internationally renowned creator of fire gardens and installations will transform Trinity Church and Trinity Green into an immersive garden of fire, light and music at 9pm with Sunday's show followed by fireworks.

Carousel
Southpaw

Friday & Saturday (9.15pm)

The Northern Echo:

In Stockton High Street, Southpaw Dance Company will stage Carousel featuring a merry-go-round which provides the centre-piece for an edgy story of the enigmatic characters who inhabit the fairground.

8 Songs
Gandini Juggling

Saturday & Sunday (4pm, 8.15pm)

The Northern Echo:

The Gandini Juggling return to SIRF with 8 Songs, a series of choreographed juggling vignettes set to eight classic rock and roll songs.

Instant Light
SIRF Community Carnival

Saturday (12pm - 5pm)

The Northern Echo:

This year's Saturday Sirf Community Carnival will bring the Instant Light story to life with a magical tale of how Stockton became a festival town. At noon the procession will start down Church Road to Stockton High Street, Tower Street and end on Stockton Riverside.