Taking the idea behind the Cow Parade and running – or driving – with it, the UK’s first Art Car Parade comes to Manchester in September:

Artists from all over the country have been specially commissioned by Walk the Plank to transform vehicles into mobile artworks, and create an exciting new kind of festival never before seen in the UK.

The UK’s first Art Car Parade will take place in Manchester on Saturday 8th September 2007, followed by the UK’s first Illuminated Art Car Parade in Blackpool for the Festival of Light, part of the Illuminations on Sunday 21st October.

Vehicles will be decorated, sculpted, adorned, illuminated or bejewelled to create “Transports of Delight” in the shape of cars, trucks, bikes and pedal-powered contraptions.

What’s more, the organisers are asking the public to get involved by submitting their own Art Car ideas – see the guidelines here. Winners in four categories – metamorphosis, makeover, Kyoto and people’s choice – will claim �4,000 of prize money.