THE bizarre spectacle of men and women with fish tanks full of water over their heads is bewildering shoppers.

The group of Australian performers are part of Stockton's International Riverside Festival street entertainment.

Specialising in the surreal, the four members of Erth will also be posing as gargoyles on top of Stockton Parish Church, at the weekend, and plan to "fly" to earth as a grand finale.

In their first UK appearance, the Waterheads amuse and confound people as they shop in the town centre, sometimes raising a smile, some times causing confusion.

The first question everyone asks is how they manage to breathe under the water. The performers remain tight-lipped, which is not surprising under the circumstances.

Erth is based in Sydney and comprises Steve Howarth, Sharon Kerr, Rachel Buchan, Finton Mahaney and Scott Wright.

Mr Mahaney said: "We describe our work as surreal and on the bizarre side of life. If we make anyone laugh, then it is well worth it. We know they will then go home or down the pub and tell everyone what they've seen and people will want to come and see what it's all about.

"We are trying to work out the Stockton audiences and they're trying to work us out. The older people think we're a scream and the kids are easy, but we're still acclimatising.

"I like pretending to steal things, but I'm not sure if people are quite ready for that, yet."

The group is taking part in the opening festivities of the Sydney Olympics next month.