SHOPPERS will be dancing their way through the town centre when live ballet comes to Swindon this summer.

The Royal Opera House has announced it will be screening a live performance of The Royal Ballet's Romeo And Juliet on the big screen in Wharf Green.

The show will be beamed live from Covent Garden on Sunday, June 1 at 3pm.

The Shakespeare ballet to Prokofiev's music begins this year's BP Summer Big Screens programme and is one of a number of screenings on the new 35sq m giant television.

The screen officially goes live on Friday and will be the first permanent BBC Big Screen in the south west.

BBC Points West's Alex Lovell will launch the family event, which will see a live broadcast, street dancing and interactive games taking place throughout the day and on into the evening.

Alex said: "I am delighted to be a part of the launch event for Big Screen Swindon and am very much looking forward to all the activity on the day.

"I think public space broadcasting is a great way to bring the local community together, offering entertainment, community news and sport right in the heart of the town."

Erik Burnett-Godfree, the BBC's producer in Swindon, added: "The Big Screen in Wharf Green is a window on the world, a mirror to Swindon and a showcase for talent.

"The Swindon Big Screen will broadcast the best of BBC TV, screen the work of independent filmmakers and cover local news and events round the clock.

"We are working with inSwindon, the town centre BID Company, on public space events and, in partnership with Swindon Borough Council, Wharf Green and the screen will host free public events.

"Open air performances, game playing and live relays of sport and culture will transform the square into a major civic arena."

Wharf Green is the first of seven areas of Swindon to be regenerated under the New Swindon Company's £1bn project Coun Phil Young, Swindon Council's cabinet member for economic development, regeneration and development, said: "It's great to see work coming along so well at Wharf Green and it's thrilling to see the regeneration of the town centre gathering some momentum.

"Big Screen Swindon will be something special for the people who live near and visit the town centre. I hope it will provide the community with an outdoor space they can use and enjoy."

Peter James, the chief executive of The New Swindon Company, added: "The switch- on of the Big Screen Swindon marks an important milestone in our regeneration plans for Swindon, as Wharf Green is the first area to be redeveloped since we came on board in 2002.

"It is an opportunity for us to show the public improvements are being made in the town and for local people to show their support for change in Swindon."

For details check out www.bbc.co.uk/bigscreen/swindon.