Brighton Festival 2017

This year's Brighton Fringe festival is simply its biggest yet with a staggering one thousand shows spanning every art form imaginable.

Its become so big in fact that some believe it can now compete with its counterpart in Edinburgh.

And with more than 300 world premiers, its attracting not just traditional storytelling but international art and artists.

Andy Dickenson reports and speaks to Rikki Tarascas, director of 'La Llorona', Sarah Slator of This Is My Theatre, and Falk Hubner, director of 'I Will Carry You Over Hard Times'.

Between 2007 and 2015, 450 military personnel were discharged from the British services due to post-traumatic stress.

But, of course, trauma and loss are something we all face, and a new play appearing in this month's Brighton Fringe is hoping to challenge the stigma surrounding mental health.

Andy Dickenson reports and speaks to writer and former soldier Neil Watkins, director Tim Mariott, actor Tom Page and military psychologist Prof Jamie Hughes.

It's been described as the most important festival for new music in England and tomorrow the curtain will rise on Brighton's Great Escape once again.

Now in its 12th year, an incredible 480 acts will play over the next three days to both adoring fans and music industry experts looking for the next 'big thing'.

And with more than 30 venues Brighton's very own Palace Pier is becoming a stage for some of the region's biggest bands.

Andy Dickenson reports and speaks to Carolyn Bates from The Great Escape, Laurie Vincent from Slaves, Tom Peterson and Clementine Douglas of Kudu Blue, and Abi Woodman of MarthaGunn.

How would you feel about opening your home to artists - and then welcoming strangers in to look at their work?

That's what people do every year as part of the Open Houses event during the Brighton Festival.

Andy Dickenson has been to see one of the homes taking part and speaks to homeowner and artist Charlotte Axworthy, director Judy Stevens and artist Soreh Levy.

A remarkable story about a remarkable woman.

55 years ago Shirley Collins began a career as a folk singer, touring and recording more than 20 albums.

But when she suffered a broken heart she lost the ability to sing - and had to stop performing altogether.

Now at the age of 81, she's back and appearing at the Brighton Festival. Andy Dickenson reports.

55 years ago Shirley Collins began a career as a folk singer, touring and recording more than 20 albums.

But when she suffered a broken heart she lost the ability to sing - and had to stop performing altogether.

To bring up her family, she worked in a charity shop and even a job centre. But now, at the age of 81, she's back and appearing at the Brighton Festival. Andy Dickenson went to meet her.

Here's her full interview in a web exclusive.

It's become the biggest event of its kind in Europe. Thousands have taken to the streets of Brighton for this year's Children's Parade.

Eighty schools from the across the city have spent months working on their spectacular costumes and puppets.

The procession marks the start of the Brighton Festival, as Malcolm Shaw now reports.

It's that time again - when art, music and culture collide in the biggest spectacle of its kind in the country.

This year's Brighton Festival, along with the Fringe, Open Houses and Great Escape events, promises to be the biggest yet with more acts than ever.

And with musician and poet Kate Tempest at the helm, there's a heady mix of entertainment to catch in the weeks ahead.

Andy Dickenson reports and speaks to artist Kathy Hinde of 'For The Birds', sculptor Cathie Pilkington of 'Liferooms' and poet Tommy Sissons.

Brighton is making the final preparations for its annual festival which starts tomorrow.

Below is a glimpse of one of the showcase events with 26 different art installations at a secret night-time woodland location.

This year's guest director is musician and poet Kate Tempest.