HUNDREDS of schoolchildren took part in a spectacular festive show on Friday night as the annual lantern parade made its way through Darlington.

The children were carrying lanterns which they created themselves with help from professional arts company Bravura Arts.

Six primary schools from the town were involved - Beaumont Hill, Corporation Road, Heathfield, Sadberge, St Augustine's and St Bede's.

This year's parade, sponsored by Cleveland Bridge, had a global theme, with Russian dolls, Dutch windmills and an Egyptian sphinx.

The group was accompanied by the Pure Drumming group from the Skerne Park estate and other entertainers included the Bollywood brass band and the Stiltskins stilt-walking and percussion group.

Popular band The Baghdaddies kept the Market Square crowds entertained until the parade arrived.

The Alpha 103.2FM roadshow also kept the fun going until a fireworks display concluded the event.