A LARGER-than-life Celtic fairy is set to grace Barnoldswick's Festival of Arts and Craft on Saturday (February 17).

Shee, a 2.5m tall Sith, will come to life at the free event thanks to international sculptor Gordon Banks who will conjure his latest folklore-based creation live on a stage in the Town Square.

In Celtic lore, a Sith is a fairy or hill. Following the festival, Shee will join existing supernatural sculptures at the town's sculpture trail and stand astride the Pennine watershed looking out from Letcliffe Hill towards her Celtic homeland in the west.

Gordon will be contributing an entertaining commentary to his on-stage sculpting of Barnoldswick's latest landmark as part of the day-long 'Love Barnoldswick' event. His Sith won't be the only fairy involved with the festival though, as the town's Yarn Fairies have an exhibition of their crocheted postbox toppers. The day includes family-friendly workshops with Gawthorpe Textiles Collection and local craftspeople.

The festival also includes a town-centre trail with 12 shop window paintings based on Barnoldswick's busy calendar of events. Children following the trail will receive a reward when they complete their tour around the town and Little hands will be able to help with a 'Love Barnoldswick' silk painting, weave willow and get crafty with a host of other hands-on creative activities.

A makers' market will fill town-centre streets and visitors will be invited to view Barnoldswick's permanent public art installations in the centre and at the Letcliffe Park sculpture trail.

Barnoldswick's Festival of Arts and Crafts, which gets underway at 10am on Saturday, is one of a trio of winter events organised by Barnoldswick Town Council and funded by the Government's UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The final event of the season is 'Barnoldswick In Wonderland' on March 23.