ENTERTAINERS brought a twist of excitement to weekend shopping - and the fun was all on the bank.

Stilt walkers, living statues and contortionists entertained the crowds on Market Street, Manchester, as Barclays celebrated the launch of their new flagship branch in the city.

The opening coincides with the search for the winners of the Manchester Heroes awards being run by Barclays and the M.E.N.

A panel of judges will choose 25 heroic citizens who have saved lives, worked tirelessly for others or faced serious illness and adversity with unbreakable spirit.

More than 100 nominations have been received and £1,000 prizes will be given out at a ceremony later this month.

Manchester Heroes judge, Coronation Street's Kym Ryder, joined in the fun at the branch opening on Saturday, when visitors were given the chance to enjoy hot air balloon rides in Piccadilly Gardens, as well as Chinese lion dancers and face painting outside the bank.

It will be the first bank in the city to offer a full service on Sundays.

The three-storey futuristic-looking building took 38,000 man hours, 72 tonnes of steel, 75 tonnes of concrete and 350 square metres of glass to create. It will employ 45 staff.

Manchester Heroes judge Erin Biertzer, of Barclays, said: "I'm thrilled with the response that the new flagship branch has received in Manchester both from customers and staff.

"We know that branches are still hugely important - around 10m of our customers use a branch each week so we've listened carefully to their thoughts to find what works and what doesn't."