TOWN centre extravaganzas such as this weekend's Streets Ahead festival are Bolton's trump card in the battle against out-of-town shopping.

That is the view of John Shepley, the council's deputy director of education and culture, as final preparations are made for a Saturday of exotic entertainment.

He predicts that this year's Streets Ahead event -- billed as Bolton's most spectacular and strangest Saturday ever -- will be the most colourful yet.

That can only be good news for town centre traders who have warned that they are losing out to the Trafford Centre and Middlebrook.

Mr Shepley feels that when it comes to atmosphere, the slick but soulless shopping centres simply cannot compete.

He said: "This year's event is going to be bigger and better than ever. We have always felt that if we can get street entertainment going it will attract people into the town centre which will have a major spin-off benefits for shops.

"It's another way of showing that the town centre is different and we should make the most of it."

Saturday's event begins with a bang at noon in Victoria Square with Fataleku's fusion of African drums and Latin rhythms. Other highlights include daredevil high wire dancing from the Velayev Family and Spanish puppeteers Espejo Negro whose act combines music, dancing and even a performing goat.

With Indian dance, comedy, street theatre and more until 4pm, organisers pledge there will be something for everyone.

The annual event, usually confined to Victoria Square, will this year also be based around two Deansgate sites, outside Woolworths and Pizza Hut, and on Corporation Street outside the Market Hall. There will also be weird and wonderful walking attractions -- last year's included an 8ft tall Elvis -- to surprise shoppers. It comes under the banner of the month-long Maydaze festival which includes a series of events across Greater Manchester.