PUPPET power hit Blackpool at the weekend (May 15-16) with the grand climax of Puppet Up '99.

A parade of giant puppets, with jazz and samba bands, brought visitors and residents flocking to the town centre to enjoy a cavalcade of colourful figures, from Chinese dragons to extra-terrestrials.

Nigel Hanson, manager of Blackpool Town Centre Forum, which organised the six-week festival, said: "The parade was spectacular, the weather was kind, the atmosphere was wonderful and it added a sparkle to the town centre.

"When I got back to my office I had a message on my answer machine from a lady who said: 'The puppet parade was probably the most exciting thing I've seen on Blackpool streets since I was a child, thank you so much - it was brilliant.' That just about sums it all up."

The festival included puppet workshops at schools and the Grand Theatre, and many of the participants were able to show off their handiwork in the parade.

Among schools enjoying workshops with the Parachute Theatre Company was St Mary's RC High, who created a giant flying bird and aliens, and took part in the end of festival show Phenomena.

Greenlands High School pupils took part in workshops creating fabulously ugly figures for a production of A Shot in the Dark with Steve Wright of The Wright Stuff.

Said Mr Hanson: " We're now in talks with North West Arts to make it an established feature on the national arts calendar."

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