THE streets of Witham will come alive later this month as dozens of puppet acts come to town.

The Witham International Puppet Festival will be held across the town centre on September 16.

Organised by Witham Town Council, this year’s festival will have a nautical theme with Under the Sea.

Visitors can expect activities inspired by sea creatures, mermaids and of course, pirates.

The one day festival takes place across Newland Street, the Grove Centre and Witham Library, with several stages set up for the dozens of acts sure to entertain all members of the family.

A range of artists will provide more than 60 performances on the day.

There will be puppets of all shapes and sizes, with acts ranging from traditional Punch and Judy shows to stilt acts and huge life-size puppets.

Highlights are set to include Summer Lion, The Holidaying Penguins and Deep Sea Diving.

It will also see the return of Titan the robot, an electronic puppet which can walk and talk.

Titan has been the star of the show at events around the UK, featuring at Butlins resorts and other events across the country.

There will also be free crafts stalls running all day at the Log Cabin in the Grove Centre.

Younger children can enjoy a full programme of storytelling throughout the day in the library where they can meet the Lighthouse Keeper and Captain Crossbones.

Organisers are again holding the fancy dress competition with judging taking place opposite the library at 1.40pm.

The Witham and District Chamber of Commerce are holding an open day in the Hub in the Newlands Centre, where people can call in for goodie bags, refreshments, colouring competition and much more.

The festival takes place in Witham town centre between 10.30am and 4pm.

For more details phone Witham Information Centre on 01376 502674 or visit www.withaminternationalpuppetfestival.co.uk.

AN International Puppet Festival is to feature over sixty performances.

Puppet wielding artists are set to perform in Witham Town Centre next week, though it is their puppets which will be from all over the world.

A range of artists will provide over sixty performances on the day, with

puppeteers from Puddle Ducks to the traditional acts including Punch and Judy.

The highlight of the day will be Titan the robot, an electronic puppet which also doubles up as a huge walking, talking robot.

Titan has been the star of the show at events around the UK, featuring at Butlins resorts and other events across the country.

Puppets will perform in and around the town centre on Saturday September 16 between 10.30am and 4pm.

This year’s international puppet festival will have a nautical theme, with navy, mermaids and of course, pirates.

The festival takes place in Witham Town Centre between 10.30am and 4pm.

Performances will take place between the Grove and Newlands Shopping Centre.

Performances will also take place at Cofunds car park in addition to inside the library.

However, exactly where Titan will be let loose in Witham is being kept top secret.

One of Titan’s agents, who had to remain under an oath of secrecy, said: “Why do you want to know?

“Titan is one of our most powerful robots.”

“Who are you?

“We won’t disclose Titan’s location to anyone, he’s top secret, and our agents would never release his location.

Though we don’t think Titan the robot would be able to fit in the library.

For more details phone Witham Information Centre on 01376 502674.