CREATIVITY, colour and artistry will take centre stage in Northwich again this year when the Festival of Arts returns in July.

The Northwich Business Improvement District (BID) will lead the festival along with support from Northwich Art Shop, Visual Arts Cheshire and Obeid Galleries.

The finishing touches are currently being put on the festival, with a line-up set to celebrate the work of talented individuals, groups and organisations in the area.

As well as workshops and focused sessions across felting, poetry, watercolours, mosaics, sketching, sculpting, singing and painting, there will be exhibitions running throughout the month.

VAC will be running a gallery at Barons Quay, Radiate Arts will be exhibiting workshop pieces at Obeid Galleries and Northwich Library will host a collection of art and artefacts to mark the 100th anniversary of Sir John Brunner’s death and the impact he had on this area.

The festival also comprises a series of other events which are set to once again draw crowds into the town centre.

These start on Saturday, July 6 with the Northwich Carnival, followed by Northwich Scooter Day on Sunday, July 7, the Northwich Artisan Market the following Saturday, the Northwich River Festival on Saturday and Sunday, July 13 and 14, and Northwich Art Shop’s Grand Day Out on Saturday, July 27.

Northwich BID manager Jane Hough said: “As with last year’s festival we have tried to create a diverse and varied line-up of activities which will hopefully capture people’s imaginations.

“Once again with this event we wanted to bring something new and exciting to Northwich which people might have never seen before and we’re confident that people will enjoy what’s set to take place.”