ANGELS will line the streets of York this weekend, when a favourite Christmas festival returns to the city.

The spectacular Festival of Angels begins tomorrow, bringing snow, ice and a touch of festive sparkle to The Quarter.

Among the attractions in Little Stonegate, Back Swinegate, Grape Lane and Swinegate will be a display of intricate ice sculptures, musicians, traditional refreshments and ice carving demonstrations.

The fifth annual festival is supported by the traders and residents of The Quarter, along with their suppliers and landlords. The event attracts thousands of people from across the region.

This year the Hobo Theatre Company will stage a continuous production of The Fairy and The Snowmen in Grape Lane, underneath a giant umbrella, and entertainers and food stalls will fill the streets.

The live ice carving will take place from 12.30pm until 2.30pm tomorrow, and even snow is guaranteed - thanks to a large generator pumping out artificial flakes.

The culmination of the weekend will be the ever-popular Parade of Angels, starting at 12.45pm in St Sampson's Square on Sunday. The parade will weave through the city centre, and children have been invited to come along in costume and join in - as long as they bring a parent with them.

Event organiser Astrid Wendelstigh said: "The festival is going to be terrific. The ice sculptures are absolutely wonderful and everyone's looking forward to it. We always love organising it, and we've been overhearing people in the street talking about it already.

"There has been so much enthusiasm from traders and the whole neighbourhood. It is always a special event, and there will be something for everyone.

"We are particularly pleased that a lot of people come into The Quarter for a change of pace and to take a brake from the bustle. Christmas shouldn't just be all about the shopping."

The Festival of Angels will take place tomorrow and Sunday, from noon to 6pm.

Updated: 10:47 Friday, December 10, 2004