A FOUR-day Lost Carnival spectacular, described as a large scale outdoor immersive theatre event for families, will get under way in Bury on Friday.

The colourful extravaganza, involving a cavalcade of performers, acrobats and musicians, is expected to attract up to 15,000 spectators to Burrs Country Park.

The event will begin on Friday 22 and continue through Saturday, Sunday and Monday (May 23-25). Visitors can expect spellbinding theatre, circus, music and visual trickery.

A highlight will be the world premiere of the Marie Celestial, a giant, walking pan-galactic circus beast. Focused around a massive, beating iron heart, it mutates with mechanical transformations, pyrotechnic effects, dynamically changing light and sound. It will be accompanied by a cast performing aerial circus, acrobatics, dance, theatre and percussion, both aboard the moving structure and on the ground.

And Travelling Light Circus’ pendulum wave machine will combine technical wizardry with the genius of a Victorian scientist to create, what is described as, "an unforgettable feast for 21st century eyes".

Additionally, the Baghdaddies will be performing wild Balkan music, with Middle Eastern rhythms and even some Geordie touches, while other attractions include a Lost in Translation Circus.

The four-day event is being staged by Wild Rumpus, producers of the award-winning Just So Festival, and So It Is, a new producing company established by Bury Met director David Agnew.

The carnival will be open from 4pm to 9pm each day, with the audience entering on timed tickets. Tickets cost £10 per person (children under the age of three go free). Carnivalgoers are advised to dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes.

More information and tickets are available by visiting www.thelostcarnival.org.uk