Giant tentacles and enormous eyeballs have heralded the launch of the North East’s biggest Halloween celebration.
Sunderland’s Lights Out festivities begin on October 25, marking a packed programme of entertainment across the city for both adults and children.
And at the heart of the event are giant tentacles which can be seen cascading from two main buildings in the city centre – atop the historic Mackie’s Corner at High Street West and from the roof of the car park above TX Maxx at the Bridges.
Lights Out is a joint initiative by Sunderland BID and Sunderland City Council, supported by the Bridges, Gentoo, the University of Sunderland and Sunderland College.
The inflatables are the work of acclaimed company Designs In Air, which has worked with clients including the 2012 Olympics, The Eden Project and international performers Cirque du Soleil.
Their work has been seen as far away as the Fuji Rock Festival in Japan, Lollapalooza in the USA and at Glastonbury.
Events will take place throughout the week and will include a huge Halloween parade on Friday 1 November involving hundreds of youngsters from community organisations across the city.
For full details of all of the Lights Out events visit www.sunderlandbid.co.uk.