JOHNNY Vegas was in town to help launch the Westfield Street Festival ahead of its fourth staging.

Thousands are expected to descend on the town centre as the Westfield Street Music Festival returns this June.

First held in 2014, the festival has become an established part of St Helens’ calendar and is set to be a smash hit again this year.  

Sponsored by Luxor Estates, the event will see 16 bars and pubs on Westfield Street, as well as Imperial Bar on Ormskirk Street and The Running Horses on Water Street, open their doors to music lovers and families for an afternoon of live music performed by bands and solo acts from the town and across the region.

More than 50 acts have been confirmed so far for the festival, which is supported by St Helens Council, St Helens College, the Steve Prescott Foundation and Jamm Studios.

And those who have given their backing to the festival this year include Linzi Prescott and funny man, Johnny Vegas.

New to this year’s event will be a giant puppet parade through Westfield Street at 3pm from Brouhaha which is sure to crank up a carnival atmosphere while brilliant Brazilian drumming troupe, Katumba, will also return by popular demand.

Over in Water Street, Jamm Studios will have a stage set up outside St Helens College for local music students to perform – and visitors can grab a bite to eat by visiting a street-food festival.

Speaking at the launch, organiser Paul Griffiths said: “Westfield Street Festival is a celebration of our music, arts and cultural heritage and has grown and grown every year since it first started in 2014."

Town centre manager Gary Maddock, added: “This is a truly great event and brings a positive atmosphere to the town centre. The event brings in thousands of local people and visitors from around the surrounding areas.

“We’ve not had one bit of trouble in the previous years of running the festival which is down to the family orientated nature of the event – and will work closely with the bars and the police to ensure this continues.”

The festival takes place from 12pm to 6pm on Sunday, June 4 with a promotional event in Church Square on Saturday, May 27 at noon featuring Neon Knights and Tricast.