WINCHESTER is set to come alive this weekend as the UK's longest street arts festival returns for the 41st year.

Hat Fair will see the city transformed with performances, installations and activities scattered around 30 locations.

It all starts on Friday when more than 300 schoolchildren will join in the parade from Abbey Gardens - this year's theme is birds of paradise.

At midday on Saturday the entire city will burst into dance for the festival's biggest ever participatory event, Swingtime.

The event finishes with a family picnic at Oram's Arbour on Sunday.

For the festival round-up and pictures see next week's Hampshire Chronicle.