Visitors to get in the flow at canal festival

Visitors will be invited to experience life on board a narrowboat during a spectacular festival to mark the completion of a £3.5 million facelift for the Stourport Canal Basins.

The three-year project, spearheaded by British Waterways and Stourport Forward has seen 18th and 19th century buildings, locks and canal basins restored. Interpretation and events, landscaping improvements and art commissions are also planned and aimed at persuading both local people and tourists to rediscover what the area has to offer.

The Flow Festival, planned from Friday to Sunday will feature family fun starting with a spectacular carnival display and culminating in a light show down at the basins.

The rest of the weekend will be packed full of activities including street entertainers, scavenger and treasure hunts, arts, crafts and face-painting.

A craft market will also be showcasing the work of talented local artists who work with glass, paintings, ceramics, woodwork, toys, textiles and jewellery.

As part of the festival, organisers are also keen to ensure people have the opportunity to really experience life on board a narrowboat through guided tours around the basins and onto one of British Waterways Heritage working boats.

Susannah Ronan, British Waterways Arts and Project Co-ordinator for the Basins project, said: "The highlight of the Flow Festival will be on Saturday and Sunday evenings with performances of The Devil's Tale, a show set to be a visual extravaganza of music, colour and excitement for the whole family to enjoy.

"Hundreds of people from community groups, including choirs, schools, brass bands and actors have been working alongside professional Spanish performance company, Spiral, to bring to Stourport the amazing story of townfolk who join forces to fight an epic battle of wills.

"The performance of the Devil's Tale will take place in the Lower Basins area, where the audience will be able to watch the show.

"There will be plenty of standing room available and people arriving early enough will be able to take their own chair or blanket to sit on to enjoy the performance."

Tickets for the show are available from the Box Office by calling 01562 743745 from 10am to 4pm Monday to Saturday.