You’ve survived January, you’ve been paid, now it’s time to go out on the town...

Prestfest, celebrating the city’s nightlife, starts tonight with offers and deals at scores of venues across Preston.

Then on Saturday things go crazy, as the streets become a stage for an assortment of mad characters, including:

Gentleman Chimps – “captured in the wild some years ago, these primates have been trained to wear human clothing and act as gentlemen, although it doesn’t always quite work out as it did in the lab...

“Oft prone to regaining chimp-like sensibilities, they’ll scurry around any venue, sniffing anything interesting, picking fleas off people and scratching themselves. A very comical and interactive act!”

A giant troll: “the world’s only walking, talking animatronic troll – the biggest in the world, measuring a colossal 9ft tall and 7ft wide, clad in specially commissioned armour, featuring the very latest in skin replication techniques and fully armed to the teeth – he is one bad-ass monster.

“It has taken around 10 artists, sculptors, blacksmiths and SFX wizards 3 months to bring you our most impressive beast ever.

“He is fully animatronic and features a remote control moving head, the eyes dart about and blink, a frowning forehead and moving lips.

“This is the most realistic and impressive interactive fantasy character walkabout on the circuit today.”

Giant butterlfies are coming from the North East having performed in far flung areas such as Madrid, Barcelona, Milan, even provinces in China!

A giant robot and drumming robots that have performed right across the UK and in Paris, Austria and Rejkiavik!

And giant LED Peacocks come from London and have performed worldwide, in front of world-leaders and the royal households of Europe.

And if that isn’t enough to entice you out to shake off the January cobwebs, the organisers will be visiting 20 venues to give away cash, encouraging people to try new venues.

Finally there will also be a free history walk, which lasts for one hour and is suitable for anyone 15 or above.

Mark Whittle, BID Marketing and Events Manager, said: “ You may have been on ghost walks before, but few have explored Preston, its shadows, shame and silent sunder.

“Prestfest presents a unique and immersive night of drama as we travel back 200 years to bring to life Church Street’s violent history of murder, bloodshed and suicide. Follow the marionettes of murder, two lively and interactive storytellers accompanied by haunting sounds from a live musician.

“All tales are based on true stories.

“We have something to tell you, tales without happy endings, the devil is in the detail... Come with us.”

Meet at the Cenotaph, on the Flag Market, for 7.15pm for the tour, on Saturday, February 1.