STEAMPUNKS descended on Whitby to show off their finery at a three-day festival of the alternative.

The seaside town, famed for its link to Bram Stoker's Dracula novel, hosted a Steampunk Weekend - the first of the year - which included events such as a live music concert and special Valentine's Day ball.

The Northern Echo: Whitby hosted a three-day Steampunk Festival which included attractions such as a live music concert and special Valentine's Day ball Pictures: PAWhitby hosted a three-day Steampunk Festival which included attractions such as a live music concert and special Valentine's Day ball Pictures: PA

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The event attracted scores of Steampunk enthusiasts - a subculture inspired by 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery.

The Northern Echo: Whitby hosted a three-day Steampunk Festival which included attractions such as a live music concert and special Valentine's Day ball Pictures: PAWhitby hosted a three-day Steampunk Festival which included attractions such as a live music concert and special Valentine's Day ball Pictures: PA

The costumes and literary works are often set in an alternative history of the Victorian era or the American "Wild West", where steam power remains in mainstream use.

The Northern Echo: Whitby hosted a three-day Steampunk Festival which included attractions such as a live music concert and special Valentine's Day ball Pictures: PAWhitby hosted a three-day Steampunk Festival which included attractions such as a live music concert and special Valentine's Day ball Pictures: PA

Followers also embrace fantasy worlds that employ steam power and are often inspired by science fiction and fantasy literature of the 19th century, by authors including Mary Shelley and Jules Verne.

Whitby's Steampunk Weekend has been running since 2017 and the main events are held in the town's Pavilion.

The Northern Echo: Whitby hosted a three-day Steampunk Festival which included attractions such as a live music concert and special Valentine's Day ball Pictures: PAWhitby hosted a three-day Steampunk Festival which included attractions such as a live music concert and special Valentine's Day ball Pictures: PA

The Northern Echo: Whitby hosted a three-day Steampunk Festival which included attractions such as a live music concert and special Valentine's Day ball Pictures: PAWhitby hosted a three-day Steampunk Festival which included attractions such as a live music concert and special Valentine's Day ball Pictures: PA

The Northern Echo: Whitby Steampunk Weekend Picture: Paul ArmstrongWhitby Steampunk Weekend Picture: Paul Armstrong

The Northern Echo: Whitby Steampunk Weekend Picture: Paul ArmstrongWhitby Steampunk Weekend Picture: Paul Armstrong

The Northern Echo: Whitby Steampunk Weekend Picture: Paul ArmstrongWhitby Steampunk Weekend Picture: Paul Armstrong

The Northern Echo: Whitby Steampunk Weekend Picture: Paul ArmstrongWhitby Steampunk Weekend Picture: Paul Armstrong

The Northern Echo: Whitby Steampunk Weekend Picture: Paul ArmstrongWhitby Steampunk Weekend Picture: Paul Armstrong

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