Adding some cheer to grim weekend weather, giant puppets are parading up and down Northumberland Street in Newcastle to announce the arrival of a festival which is promising plenty entertainment for children and adults alike.
Newcastle Puppetry Festival Moving Parts is back with a line-up of performances, activities, films and workshops running until April 6-14.
The event launched with a high-profile appearance by Dolly, a life-size puppet giraffe, which was out and about in the city's busiest shopping street on Saturday where she was petted by children who were also invited to 'feed' her green shoots.
The giant visitor, accompanied by her zookeeper puppeteers, was also joined by a pair of crows and soon drew a crowd of spectators who snapped photographs and followed the procession up Northumberland Street .
The crows, perched in rickety nests, in search, were inviting passers-by to post a secret message in a mini post box hanging from their beaks.
And - on an equally grey Sunday - they will be out in the city centre again to meet people and their puppeteer handlers will be handing out leaflets about the festival.
Passers-by can look out too for other super-size figures making an appearance.
See here for more about the festival.
Bright idea at Newcastle's Eldon Square aims to start shoppers' day with a bang
