Space chickens and flamingos to parade through town

Organisers said this weekend's parade is expected to be "spectacular"

They have been pulling at the heartstrings of communities from across Kent.

And now the weird and wonderful creations of the Tunbridge Wells Puppetry Festival are getting ready to take to the streets for a grand finale this weekend.

Following performances throughout the town on Saturday, the Puppet Parade is due to start at 11:00 BST on Sunday from outside the Royal Victoria Place, continue down Mount Pleasant Road and finish at Calverley Grounds by midday.

But as the puppets - including space chickens and flamingos on mobility scooters - wave goodbye, organisers have promised to "keep the spirit of this wonderful festival alive".

Children from Number One Community Centre in Showfields have been making rhino masks for Sunday's parade

Jason Lower, head of creative engagement at Trinity Theatre, said puppetry is about more than artistry and fun.

"We really believe in what puppets and masks can do in helping people with their confidence and communication skills," he said.

"We try to keep the spirit of this wonderful festival alive throughout the year."

Sarah Humphrey has been learning how to move a chicken

Clutching Henrietta the Chicken, youth theatre member Sarah Humphrey said she has been learning puppetry as part of the festival.

So, how do you operate a stage chicken?

“It’s been a very weird experience just learning how an animal works outside just watching them at a zoo, so it’s really cool to actually understand how their movements work," she said.

"You've got to kind of feel like it is alive, you've just got to accept that it is an alive chicken and just kind of move its head, peck at things, cross the stage and just continue moving it around.

"This will make me a better actor because I can learn more about this kind of thing around me on stage.”

Jason Lower says he tries to keep the spirit of puppetry alive throughout the year

The festival's co-director Hayley said performances would include "all kinds of puppetry for every different type of audience".

"It is going to be spectacular," she said.