Some of the UK’s best performers will be appearing at venues across Preston as part of Lancashire Fringe Festival.

A small-scale version of the festival first took place in 2016, but the second outing will be much bigger thanks to £10,000 of Arts Council funding.

The festival, created by local producer Garry Cook, will bring some of the best comedy, spoken word and contemporary theatre shows to the city.

Cook has already put on several shows in Preston including comedian Ruth E Cockburn’s Love Letters to Blackpool and poet Louise Fazackerley’s Bird St and Other Unlikely Love Stories.

While Cook says he is already talking to “some of the best in the business”, he is looking for community groups, artists and performers who would like to take part. He’s also encouraging local businesses to get involved through sponsorship opportunities.

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Cook said: “The one-off shows I’ve been doing for the past year have gone down brilliantly with Preston audiences – everyone has loved them. And it’s the audiences who have turned up to these shows who have helped make this festival possible.

“I’ve been lucky enough to persuade some brilliant performers to the city already. I’m hoping they will be involved in this next project by doing some pre-festival performances at community venues across the city. I’m looking for community groups to work with for those shows.

“This city has seen huge positive changes in recent years, particularly with the events put on by Preston City Council, The Harris, They Eat Culture and UCLan’s Derelict festival.

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“The City Council wants the arts to be a driving force in realising its cultural aims and there are loads of people, including me, on board with this ambition. I want this festival to contribute to that progress and I can’t wait to work with these institutions and businesses to help make Preston the best place in the region to enjoy live performances.”

Lancashire Fringe Festival will take place from Wednesday 15 May to Saturday 25 May in various venues across the city. The majority of shows will be free to attend, with audiences making an optional pay-what-you-decide donation.

You can find out more about the festival at enjoyshow.co.uk, and follow Garry on Twitter.

Will you be going to Lancashire Fringe Festival? Let us know in the comments below.