The 30foot long porker is one of five street theatre acts performing on Sunday afternoon to herald the start of a packed week featuring some of the best acts from the UK, France and...er...Germany.

Kicking off at noon, groups of people will be led inside the belly of the huge hog by a farmhand, where "something strange" will be going on.

Later, two Frenchmen in battered Citroens will be explaining their European tour, and an acrobat troupe, life-size puppet show, and mimeshow complete the free afternoon's entertainment.

The first major act will be Radio 4 wit Linda Smith at the Corn Exchange, with her acclaimed stand-up show.

The Comedy Festival idea was the brainchild of new Corn Exchange boss Martin Sutherland, who has connections on the London comedy circuit and Edinburgh Festival fringe.