Festival with extra spark; IF you are planning ahead for Spring Bank Holiday, check out The Spark Children's Arts Festival in Leicester which has dozens of activities in a variety of venues, some of which are on a doorstep near you. ANN EVANS highlights the fun in store. Family Day Out THE SPARK CHILDREN'S ARTS FESTIVAL, LEICESTER.

Byline: ANN EVANS

TWO whole weeks of entertainment and children's activities are planned when The Spark Children's Arts Festival, Leicester, returns to light up the area.

The 15-day festival, from Sunday, May 25 to Sunday, June 8 is full of different shows, events and workshops, bringing theatre, dance, music and visual arts to children - from toddlers to 13 year olds.

Activities take place in a variety of often unusual venues - parks, libraries, a swimming pool and even walks right through the centre of Leicester.

A series of events in the county's On Your Doorstep programme provides contemporary dance for children aged four years and over, with Telling Tales, or Shopping for Shoes by children's company Visible Fictions.

As part of the On Your Doorstep programme, locally, at Stoke Golding Village Hall, near Nuneaton, on Sunday, June 1, the Theatre of Widdershins brings to life the fable of The Elves and the Shoemaker, using magical puppets, intricate design, music, a kaleidoscope of miniature shoes and simple dialogue.

The show starts at 10.30am and tickets, at pounds 3.50, are available by calling 01455 213 325.

Another highlight is the UK mainland premiere of Sinbad, staged at the newly-refurbished Victorian swimming baths at Cossington Street Sports Centre, Leicester. The show is complete with pirates, sea monsters and hairy dwarves.

At one of the biggest venues in the city - De Montfort Hall - you could try your hand at hip hop and double dutch at a fun-packed day.

Outdoor events include the sounds of Graffiti Classics in one of the city's, or following a storytelling trail around the city.

Festival organiser Ellen Bianchini said: "The Spark is a space for children, families and teachers to have new experiences of the arts, to experiment, to be inspired and have fun together."

To find out more about all the events happening this year, join the mailing list to receive a copy of the brochure. Alternatively, pick one up from the Tourist Information Centre, Town Hall Square, Leicester, visit www.sparkfestival.co.uk or call 0116 261 6893.

CAPTION(S):

FEATHERS FLY...Telling Tales (above) stages modern dance at the Spark Children's Festival while (below) The Elves and the Shoemaker comes to life courtesy of the Theatre of Widdershins.