Preston’s premier arts festival is set to be even bigger in 2020 with the addition of England’s biggest network of outdoor arts festivals.

Lancashire Encounter, which runs every other year in the city, to bridge the gap between Preston Guilds, has signed a deal with Without Walls.

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Preston City Council said being part of the Touring Network Partnership means ‘high quality outdoor shows’ will be part of the next Encounter.

Deputy head of culture at the city council Tim Joel said: “For Lancashire Encounter arts festival to be part of a national network of festivals is fantastic news. Without Walls has an international reputation for ambitious outdoor arts, and enables us to bring a free arts and performance offer to Preston.

“Past Encounter festivals have been a huge success for Preston and Lancashire, and now this partnership further enhances the high quality, outdoor performances we’ll be able to bring to the city.”

Read more: Watch as Block opens Lancashire Encounter

A taste of what is to come is planned for Saturday 10 August this year as Without Walls bring street theatre shows to the city centre.

Encounter, the biennial arts festival, returns in September 2020.

A city council spokeswoman confirmed the Brief Encounter, which took place in 2017 between the two main Encounter festivals, was not planned for this year.

Read more: See what’s on in Preston