Giant dragon puppet to soar above Wakefield

The Hatchling is set to take to the night sky above Wakefield as part of a three-day visit

A giant dragon puppet is set to hatch out of an egg and stalk the streets of Wakefield as part of the district’s year-long programme of cultural events.

The creation, called The Hatchling, stands taller than a double-decker bus and is the largest puppet to be solely operated by humans, organisers said.

Live events group Trigger announced the creature, which is both a puppet and a kite, would reveal its theatrical metamorphosis in the city centre over the August bank holiday weekend.

Angie Bual, Trigger creative director, said the puppet would "celebrate the talent, energy and vibrant cultural landscape" in the local area.

The giant dragon puppet is set to hatch in Wakefield in late August

Trigger said the performance in Wakefield would see the creation hatch from an egg located at Wakefield Cathedral.

It would then take part in a weekend of city-wide performances before taking flight over Pugneys Country Park on the evening of 25 August.

The puppet led an array of cultural celebrations outside Buckingham Palace at the Platinum Jubilee Pageant in June 2022.

West Yorkshire community groups have joined together with internationally-renowned creatives to bring the flying puppet to Wakefield, the local authority says

Councillor Michelle Collins, cabinet member for culture, leisure and sport at Wakefield Council, said: "We are excited to be welcoming The Hatchling to join us in celebrating our culture and community.

"It's a captivating way to showcase the Wakefield district’s creativity, engage and inspire residents across the district and put Wakefield firmly on the map as a cultural hotspot."

Ms Bual added the event would be The Hatchling’s third outing and "only her second ever flight".

Follow BBC Yorkshire on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter) and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail]