AN internationally renowned choir will perform a concert by candlelight during Harrogate International Festival.

The 40th festival, from Thursday, July 21, to Friday, August 5, will feature the 21 members of the Tenebrae Choir at St Wilfrid's Church, in the Duchy area of Harrogate, on Wednesday, August 3.

Festival director William Culver-Dodds said this year's event will celebrate four decades of world-class events.

On Saturday, July 23, Harrogate town centre will be brightened by street arts dubbed Streets Alive.

Shoppers will be invited to take tea and biscuits while being entertained by the antics of the Puppet Cafe.

There will also be a visit to the town centre by the Amazing Spurting Man and Alice Springs.

Also wandering the town centre will be The Flying Buttresses, a pint-sized pair who tour the world with all their possessions strapped to their backs.

Irish musician Van Morrison will also perform at the festival, at a sold-out concert at Harrogate International Centre on July 30.

The international centre will also host the Juan De Marcos Afro Cuban All Stars, who will make a rare appearance in Britain.

The 15-piece big band has been drawn from a new crop of Cuban musicians and will perform on July 28.

A festival spokesman said: "This is an extraordinary show, which will bring Harrogate alive with the invigorating dance mix of Cuba."

A 40th festival gala concert in Harrogate Theatre, on July 29, will reflect opening years of the event, and will be presented by the Zukerman Chamber Players.

The festival finale will be a gala concert in the International Centre on August 5 by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonc Orchestra.

Meanwhile, the Fringe Festival will cover visual arts, music and dance.

For ticket details of events, call (01423) 537230 or go to www.harrogate-festival.org. uk