BRADFORD Fringe Festival is going digital this year and one of the city's very own will feature on the first day.

The festival, which celebrates new and established artists, will kick-off on Saturday, July 4.

In its second year, Bradford Fringe is having to face the challenges of trying to put on an event during these unprecedented times.

But it has tackled this head on by taking the festival online and joining the streaming ranks with Digital Fringe.

It all begins with a Bradford legend, Billy Pearce.

There will be an evening of conversation, anecdotes and laughter with the Alhambra Theatre stalwart.

The show will be streamed live, and for free, on Facebook and YouTube.

But if you want to get an exclusive link to a "front row" seat on the Zoom call with Mr Pearce, allowing you to digitally "raise your hand" and interact with the man himself, you'll need to buy a ticket.

These cost £5, but all money raised from sales will go towards providing free entertainment packs - including DVDs, poetry zines from local poetry collective PNFB and regular comedy challenges from the organisers of the Women's Comedy Workshop at Theatre in The Mill.

The packs will be sent out to local foodbanks, Bradford Age UK and care facilities, to bring some light relief to those who are self-isolating without access to the internet or social media.

This not-for-profit festival is all about the community, as well as local talent.

The long-term aim is for it to become a prelude to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Bradford Fringe will run for a full month, until August 4.

Some of the festivals other highlights include, "Queer Comedy Night" with Jonathan Mayor, a "Youth Takeover" with Shipley Cactus Crew and "Lockdown Poetry" with Sharena Lee Satti.

The festival will also feature up-and-coming theatre, with "Class Of A" by Sam Cooper and "Sticks and Stones" by Breadface.

Bradford Fringe was originally set-up by two women from the city - a self-described spreadsheet loving pyrotechnician and a working class powerhouse.

One of those, Laura Brooks, said: “We are really looking forward to Bradford Fringe 2020 and are not letting COVID-19 get in the way of us providing what we think is going to be a hilarious and electrifying month of pure comedy, theatre and performance delight.

"The festival is a grassroots event, and is self organised by volunteers in Bradford, by and for the people, and we hope people will be encouraged by the programme and will want to get involved and have a laugh with us”