THE streets of Darlington will be filled with international music and dance as a popular community carnival returns.

From 10am on Saturday, June 28 the town’s market square will be transformed into a celebration of music, art and dance as part of the Darlington Community Carnival.

This year’s theme is ‘dancing in the street’ and hundreds of people are expected to descend on the town to see street entertainment and dance performances, including shows by the Creole Carnival dance school and the Harlequin Women’s Morris dancers, as well as live music.

The carnival parade, which will be led by Red Hall Dance Company and Hummersknott Samba Band, will leave the market square at noon and will make its way through the town to Stanhope Park with street entertainers lining the route.

It is the first time the parade has started in the market square and organisers hope the event will be a huge success.

Chairman Steve Rose said: “We want to build on the great success of previous years and make this a one to remember.

“We have had a great response from community organisations and schools and are excited to see how the new procession route will go.”

The event will raise money for the Dogs Trust and community groups and schools have been working with local artists to create colourful costumes, sculptures and banners for the parade.

For more information visit facebook.com/darlingtoncommunitycarnival or follow @darlocarnival on Twitter.