Aliens among invaders as town on parade

Hundreds of people joined the town's Handmade Parade on Saturday, which boasts no advertising, words, slogans or motorised vehicles.

A giant hippopotamus being pedalled through the streets, a battalion of aliens and a flock of Canada geese on stilts were among the sights that greeted the crowds.

Rebecca Dearden, co-ordinator of the parade, said: "We promised it was going to be bigger and better than last year but I do not think any of us expected it to be such an amazing day.

"Not only was the sun out but the streets were absolutely packed. The

looks on the faces of the people we passed were incredible; they were

either laughing at the bizarre things passing them or their mouths were wide open in amazement."

Workshops were set up three weeks ago where people from the town and further afield could make their costumes and puppets ahead of the community-generated parade.

Picture: Simon Hulme.