VISITORS to Ulverston next Saturday are being promised a spectacular visual feast as the town's legendary dragon is 'rebirthed' in the climax to the 20th Lantern Procession.

Finale organisers Welfare State International are promising pyrotechnics, sound effects and "visual surprises to delight, mystify and enthrall" as the Ulverston Dragon is "transformed and reborn" under the light of a full moon on September 21.

The artists were remaining tight-lipped about what spectators in this annual event will witness exactly but it revolves around the legend of the huge female dragon which, according to stories of yore, went to sleep under Ulverston.

The tip of her tale is supposed to lie under Flan How while her snout rests below the Hoad.

The energy of the dragon is said to be apparent in the brackish flow of the beck which flows under the town, while at Gill Banks her scales are meant to be visible as squashed boulders under the stream.

Proceeding the WSI finale at Ford Park is the annual procession of hundreds of people carrying candle-lit lanterns through the town representing this year's theme of Myths and Legends.

Four 'rivers of light' will be created by processions setting off from Croftlands at 7.45pm, the parish church at 7.45pm, Dale Street at 7.55pm and Hill Foot at 8.10pm which will converge at the Market Cross before wending their way towards Ford Park.

A major development in this year's show is the involvement of local people in creating structures to head each of the processions, and in the actual performance itself following a week of WSI summer workshops.

Anyone who would like to be involved in the procession can make a lantern in one of the workshops being staged by WSI and the Ulverston Lantern Supporters Group.

"Anybody can make a lantern," assured Lantern Festival project manager Roger Bloomfield.

"They should bring enthusiasm! That's what it's all about - people who may not think they are artists can come along and make something really effective."

Workshops are running from 4pm to 6pm and 7pm to 9pm today (Friday) and Saturday and from 2pm to 5pm on Sunday in community centres at Croftlands and Dale Street.

The Walkers Hostel, at Oubas Hill, is running them from 1pm to 5pm Monday to Friday.

At the Swarthmoor Reading Room, lanterns can be made between 1pm and 7pm on Sunday and from 6pm to 9pm on Monday and Tuesday.

Meanwhile, day and evening workshops are on at the Lanternhouse, The Ellers, from 4.30pm to 6.30pm and 7.30pm to 9.30pm Friday to Thursday (September 19) except on Monday.

Additional sessions at 1pm to 3pm are running this weekend.

Further details are available from 01229-581127/580640.