AN outdoor procession in celebration of the Virgin Mary ended with a May Queen crowning a statue of her.

The annual event was organised by the local Legion of Mary at the Sacred Heart Church, in Middlesbrough.

The procession of about 100 people carried the statue of Mary around Linthorpe before nine-year-old May Queen Melissa O'Neill, from Normanby, crowned her.

Once back in the church, children were invited to lay flowers around the statue at the event.