IT'S IN its ninth year and this time there are dancing JCBs and a fire breathing dragon.

The Greenwich and Docklands International Festival will once again take to the streets of east London, with a host of shows to entertain audiences.

The event sets sail with a maritime spectacular in the grounds of the Old Royal Naval College, Lower Grand Square, Greenwich, exploring the power of the sea.

Audiences at Maritime Mysteries, running on June 25 and June 26 from 9.30pm, will be treated to performances by global waterfront cultures from around the world including Europe, South East Asia and Brazil.

Aerial theatre, giant puppetry and voices from Greenwich's sea community will all combine to produce the production which coincides with the 2005 Sea Britain initiative.

On July 1 performers Dance City will take over Canary Wharf in various locations. Set against the glistening backdrop of London's famous quarter of commerce, aerial dancers will travel through the air suspended by cranes.

Mayhem will come to the streets of Woolwich on July 23 as a fire breathing dragon is released by Spanish theatre company Sarruga.

JCBs at Three Mills Green, Bromley-by-Bow on July 16, are not remnants of a forgotten building project. The dancing diggers have been choreographed to perform at the event, entitled Renaissance, which also hosts aerial dancers and special effects. The festival comes to an end with a finale on July 30, at 8.30pm, and an ocean of foam and a display of fire works. Londoners will be treated to the UK premier of a performance by acclaimed French theatre company Malabar.

A giant ship of dreams will float along Roman Road, Bow, accompanied by stilt walkers, musicians and high-flying aerialists.

For more information on this year's epic event, call 020 8305 1818.