A SPECTACULAR cycling scene has been announced as the launch event for next year’s popular Harwich Festival of the Arts.

The 2014 programme has been revealed and is packed full of classical music, poetry, dance, art and even opera.

But the new “edgy” style of festival, which was revamped this year, will see a huge moving performance to start off the season.

111 cyclists will open the 2014 festival in a performance of 'Eine Brise' by the Argentinian composer Mauricio Kagel.

This noisy, colourful work will involve a journey around Harwich and Dovercourt, with the cyclists whistling, singing and ringing their bells as they go.

Artistic Director Diana Burrell said the bike theme will run throughout the festival.

“There will be bike-related art sculptures in all sorts of odd places,” she said.

“You could say I'm biased, but I really don't think there will be any more exciting place to be than Harwich next June and July.”