PRODUCTION of lanterns for this year's Orange Darlington Festival lantern parade is being stepped up.

The theme of this year's parade is the circus and lantern workshops are now being held to ensure the event is a success.

They are being run in conjunction with Bravura Arts Company, led by lantern designer Barbara Agar, and supported by Frank Hughes and Rachel Willis.

More than 30 children and their parents gathered at Darlington Arts Centre to make lanterns in the shape of elephants.

It is hoped that more than 250 children, parents and teachers will parade with their lanterns through the streets of Darlington on Friday.

The fun is sponsored by Orange, supported by Taylor Woodrow, and presented by Darlington Borough Council.

It starts with a circus theatre at 3pm, with stiltwalkers and other street entertainers in the town centre. Century FM radio will host a roadshow in the Market Square between 6pm and 7pm.

Meanwhile, the lantern parade leaves the arts centre on Vane Terrace at 6.30pm, making its way into the square.

Circus acts will then keep paraders entertained on the main stage until 7.30pm, ahead of a fireworks finale.