WHAT happens when Big Heads clash with Chinese lions and dragons, not to mention Punch and Judy?

Find out when a grand street-parade of puppets forms a clamourous climax to Blackpool's Puppet Up '99 Festival on Saturday (May 15).

Giant puppets will thread their way through town centre streets to the music of samba and jazz bands starting at 11am from Queen Street, via Abingdon Street, Talbot Road, Market Street, Birley Street, Church Street to Bank Hey Street, finishing behind Pricebusters.

The festival, organised by Blackpool Town Centre Forum with the Grand Theatre and Grundy Art Gallery, began at the end of March with exhibitions, school visits and theatre productions.

Town centre manager Nigel Hanson said publicity had gone out throughout the region and nationally to help bring in more visitors. "We're delighted how well the festival has gone so far, we've had terrific involvement from the schools, colleges, workshop participants and the public," he said.

"We're looking forward to a spectacular finish this weekend and hope as many people as possible from the Fylde will be in town to enjoy it."

Saturday's events also include street shows featuring such child-pleasers as Priscilla the Hippo at prominent sites like Birley Street, Church Street, Matcham Court, Bank Hey Street and the Hounds Hill Centre between 11.30am and 4pm. The Grand Theatre chips in with the Norwich Puppet Theatre's Jack and the Beanstalk at 11am and 3pm, while in the evening the Compagnie Philippe Genty presents Dedale, a visual feast of dance, mime, illusion and puppetry.

On Sunday (May 16) more street acts will be around town, including the Madcap Monkey Show, Pickled Herring and the futuristic Millennium Bugs between 11am and 3.30pm.

The Grand Theatre Studio has a treat for Winnie the Pooh fans with Richard Medrington's Eeyore Has A Birthday and Tiggers Don't Climb Trees at 11am and 3pm.

And as a fitting finale, at 5.30pm on Sunday the Flamingo Club, 176 Talbot Road, Blackpool, plays host to a large-scale performance of Phenomena from the Parachute Theatre Company - said to be "out of this world."

For tickets and more information contact the Grand Theatre box office on (01253) 290190, the Flamingo Club on (01253) 624901 or the Festival office on (01253) 292486.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.