PERFORMERS will transform parts one North-East town into a live theatre of song and dance next week, in an event expected to attract thousands of visitors.

The Stockton International Riverside Festival (SIRF) will turn areas of the town into four days of live shows with performers from around the world taking part in specially planned events daily from Thursday, August 3, until Sunday, August 6.

The festival will celebrate its 30th year in the town which has seen world-class actors joining together to showcase their skills over the years.

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s, Councillor Norma Wilburn, said: “Some of the most visual aspects of these performances are best experienced at night.

“I’d encourage everyone to come down and be part of what will be a truly different series of cultural and artistic experiences that will live long in the memory.”

The festival will open at 10pm on Stockton’s Riverside.

Visitors are warned to allow for extended journey times due to roadworks and temporary traffic light systems.