A vibrant array of exhibitions and performances will brighten up the streets and venues of Kingston this month as the International Youth Arts Festival gets underway.

The three-week long festival celebrating UK talent will allow 8,000 young people to take centre-stage in 350 different events across 15 venues in the borough.

The festival is now in its fourth year and will feature workshops, classes and the opportunity to learn new skills in everything from drama, dance and graffiti art to puppetry and circus tricks.

Festival director Aniela Zaba said: “The international youth festival was born in Kingston so I hope it will always be here.

It is part of our commitment to make Kingston the most artistically active place in the country.”

This year the festival will open with a range of workshops from June 29 and with the festival’s first concert, Raise the Roof, is set to impress audiences on July 6.

The Rose will host a number of festival events as will All Saint’s Church, Market House and Kingston College.

Showpieces will also be provided by Rambert Dance Company and the National Youth Music Theatre.

The festival is put on by Creative Youth, a charity committed to ensuring young people with differing skill sets or backgrounds are involved in high quality arts projects.

International Youth Arts Festival, across a range of venues including the Rose, All Saint’s church and Market House, Kingston, June 29 to July 22, outdoor events are free and performance tickets range from £4 to £14, for more information visit iyafestival.org.uk.