A dinosaur on the flag market during the last Prestfest

A city centre nightlife festival has won national recognition.

Prestfest, which takes place across venues in the city centre, on various weekends through the year has been praised.

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Members of the Association of Town & City Management said the festival was excellent for “developing the early evening and night time economy.”

The last PrestFest saw giant dinosaurs roaming the streets and a big cash giveaway at pubs, clubs and restaurants throughout the city centre.

Organisers, Preston Business Improvement District, say 77 per cent of the venues who took part reported footfall was up year on year during the weekend.

Jessica Toomey, Chair of Preston At Night said: “We are thrilled to have been officially recognised for our work in promoting Preston’s night time economy, particularly having beaten of stiff competition to be highly commended for Prestfest.

“Preston BID and city centre night time economy businesses worked really hard to pull out all the stops to ensure Prestfest visitors had a great time.

“No one across Lancashire celebrates their evening leisure offer like Preston does, we’re resolute that we have to keep promoting the best of the city and encouraging new people to visit and those that do visit, come more frequently.

“Events like Prestfest are important because they bring businesses together for the common good and offer something a little bit different to visitors. This recognition only strengthens Preston’s position as the best night out in Lancashire.”

Prestfest is due to return later in the year.