THE sun blessed St Peter Port on Saturday as performers took to the streets for the first Arts Outside event. With acts from the UK including storyteller Jamie Crawford and Bongo Bolero, who showcased a fusion of comedy and acrobatics, the weather for street entertainment could not have been better.

‘This is what I’ve always envisaged for a July event. I’m really pleased,’ said organiser Joanna Littlejohns.

Traditional storyteller Mr Crawford entertained a crowd of about 35 children at the Market Steps with tales brought alive through sound, movement, humour and audience interaction.

‘It was nice, because Jamie told a series of stories,’ said Mrs Littlejohns.

‘The Market Steps is a great venue where people can sit and protect themselves from the wind.’

Bongo Bolero double-act Nikki Andrews and Richard Durnford, from Bristol, said they could tell street entertainment was a relatively new concept to most.

‘The crowd was nice,’ said Miss Andrews.

‘Small, but perfectly formed. But though you get the feeling they don’t really know what to do, the people who stayed really enjoyed it.’

Mr Durnford said that it took people a while to know how to respond to their act.

‘It’s a beautiful Town and it’s asking for more street entertainment in the summer.’

Husband-and-wife Trevor and Marlene Spiteri, both 30, stopped to watch the act while shopping.

‘I think Bongo Bolero are great,’ said Mr Spiteri.

‘Street entertainment’s really good for the island, especially in the summer,’ added his wife.

‘I hope the weather is good this week.’

Steve Falla, who was watching the act with sons Harvey, 6, and Elliot, 8, found himself joining in after Miss Andrews plucked him from the crowd.

‘I wasn’t expecting to participate quite so much,’ he said.

‘I think the whole thing is great. I only heard about it on the radio this morning.’

Deputy John Gollop thought it brought a carnival spirit to Town.

‘It’s great that it’s here this summer. I only wish the arts department had a bigger budget to do more. It’s animated what’s been a rather tired summer so far.’

Mrs Littlejohns said that if the event proved a success, she hoped it would be held annually.

Other events this week include upside-down, revolving, six-foot-tall paintings of the iconically famous, by artist Jon Hicks, who has appeared on Blue Peter and Graham Norton’s Generation Fame, and a real-life performance of a silent movie from the Bash Street Theatre, winner of the 2006 Best Street Theatre Show at the Fira de Teatre in Tarrega, Spain. Local singer Josie Paine and The Guernsey Youth Choir will also be performing. For more information, call 723552.