Last updated at 17:40, Saturday, 29 March 2008

LIVERPOOL comic and actor Ricky Tomlinson will top the bill at Workington’s Paint The Town Red festival in August.

Tomlinson, probably best known for his portrayal of layabout Jim Royle in the television series The Royle Family, also starred in the title role of the 2001 film Mike Bassett: England Manager.

Tomlinson will be on the main stage on the Udale Street Car Park for the festival, which will take place from 11am to 4pm on Saturday, August 30.

He will also take part in a question and answer session about his life.

The event is being sponsored by the Times & Star, which will host a Red Raw Talent show in Hall Park.

Paint The Town Red will be the biggest free festival in Workington’s history and the organising team, led by John Head and Helen Irving, is budgeting for at least 50,000 visitors.

The festival will cater for all ages and has adopted red as the theme.

Salterbeck packaging company Alcan Packaging has donated 40 miles of red plastic sheeting to decorate the town.

John, who is the community services chairman of Workington Rotary Club, said: “There isn’t a competing event within 60 miles of Workington that day and although we clash with the Rugby League Challenge Cup final at Wembley, we are expecting huge crowds.

“The weather is the unknown factor as it is with every outdoor summer event but we want to emphasise that this is a shopping day for the town.

“We hope to have the same kind of success as the Whitehaven Maritime Festival - but in Whitehaven the criticism was made that while the festival was a success, it pulled people away from the shops.

“That won't happen in Workington; not only will all the shops be open but many will be extending their selling areas in to the streets to create a special atmosphere.”

The event will cost £40,000 and most of that will come from urban regeneration company West Lakes Renaissance. Cumbria Tourism will promote the event.

The festival will include a free children’s fun fair in Vulcan Park and stage and street entertainment, including the Barracudas from Barrow.

Soul singer Jimmy James and his Soul Explosion act were the first big name to sign to perform on the main stage.

The day will begin with a parade led by scarlet-uniformed and black-helmeted army musicians of the King’s Division.

A cavalcade of BMW mini cars will be part of the parade and will form a backdrop to a motor show, stunt driving display and the appearance of famous cars Herbie the Beetle, the Back to the Future De Lorean and Kit from 80s TV show Knightrider, from Keswick’s Cars of the Stars Museum.

Cooks Annette Gibbons and John Crouch will demonstrate red hot cooking at The Greenhouse, Ian Lewis-Dalby, of The Townhouse, will be putting on a barbecue at Hall Park and Anthony Dalzell, of Haigh’s Butchers, will serve roasts outside his Pow Street shop.

The all-girl band Irresistible - featuring Gemma Park of Workington - Stainburn School Steel Band and Dearham Brass Band will entertain.

First published at 19:39, Thursday, 27 March 2008
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk