HORDES of colourful characters are set to descend on Whitby as the seaside town once again hosts one of the jewels in the crown of the alternative scene.

Now in its 24th year, the Whitby Goth Weekend attracts thousands of visitors to enjoy a range of alternative sights and sounds.

From the ever-popular Bizarre Bazaar selling all manner of ghoulish goods, to street performers and music concerts, the weekend has plenty offer seekers of the surreal.

A founding member of the festival, Jo Hampshire, said that they have diversified even further this year and will be using the Spa Pavilion as the Goth Weekend big top for the first time.

She said: “This is truly a Goth Weekend variety show, displaying the best and most bizarre that the alternative has to offer.

“Standing by our slogan of expanding the definition of Goth, we truly feel that this is a weekend that simply can’t be missed.”

Events start on Friday, April 27 and highlights are set to include a performance by Rayguns Look Real Enough.

The troupe provides a fusion of rock and roll, cabaret and comedy and were once dubbed the British answer to Jack Black’s LA band Tenacious D.

Also performing at the weekend is Edinburgh Fringe Festival favourite Desmond O’Connor who has enjoyed an entertainment career spanning two decades.

He performs satirical lyrics with a George Formby twist.

Meanwhile, the internationally-renowned Circus of Horrors will bring their band of fearsome entertainers to Whitby on the Friday night.

It is the first time the Horrors have performed at the Goth Weekend have they have pledged to bring an exclusive show completely separate to their current multi-date international Voodoo tour .

Alongside the stage performances will be all manner of side events, not to mention the iconic sight of crowds of steampunks, Victorian Goths and Cyber Goths parading along the seafront.

Ms Hampshire said that although the weekend has grown massively since its early years as an event organised between friends, the festival retains its family-friendly feel and all are invited to join in the fun.

She added: “Now in its 24th year, the weekend is still one of the largest and most successful independent, home-grown festivals in the UK - and is continuing to attract world-renowned talents. “Whitby Goth Weekend is estimated to produce a whopping £1.1million for the town’s local economy per annum, and has generated thousands for charities such as the Bat Conservation trust and the Sophie Lancaster Foundation.

“The event is celebrated as an icon of the alternative movement, having been studied, visited and explored by television, newspapers and radio over the years, and has, despite all this, remained utterly independent throughout its run.”

The event attracts all manner of subcultures and organisers say it attracts up to 10,000 visitors throughout the course of the weekend.