VISITORS to an annual street festival are encouraged to share their favourite moments of the event on social media.

Durham Streets Summer Festival takes place over the weekend with a host of international street acts entertaining crowds in Durham City, Barnard Castle, and - for the first time in the event’s eight year history - Bishop Auckland.

Performers, who drew in a crowd of around 20,000 spectators last year, take to Durham City’s Market Place and Millenium Place, as well as Elvet and Framwellgate bridges, on Saturday and Sunday (August 23/24) between 11.30am and 5pm.

The spectacular shows also take place in Bishop Auckland's Market Place from 11am to 3pm on Saturday and at Scar Top, Barnard Castle, from noon on Bank Holiday Monday.

Organisers are inviting viewers to share photographs and 10-word reviews of the acts on Facebook and Twitter.

Those mentioning @StreetsDurham or use the hashtag #Streets2014 on Twitter, or post a picture or review on the Durham Streets Summer festival Facebook page will be entered into a competition to win a festival t-shirt.

Festival staff will be handing out nomination forms to festival goers in Durham City who will be able to vote for the Durham Streets People’s Choice award to be announced at the end of the Durham City leg of the festival on Sunday at about 5.15pm.

This year’s event includes performances from street clown Pedro, family favourite Maynard Flip Flap, and Fatt Matt, winner of the Durham Streets People’s Choice Award in 2012.

There will also be sword-swallowing, chainsaw-juggling and blindfolded unicycle-riding from The Space Cowboy, who holds 29 Guinness World Records, including the most blow torches extinguished on the tongue.

The festival, organised by Durham County Council, is supported by Durham’s Business Improvement District, Bishop Auckland Town Council and Barnard Castle Town Council.