A CROWD gathered during the opening parade of this year's Ledbury Poetry Festival.

Taking part were children aged between five and 15 who had been involved in a variety of workshops around town in preparation for the event, which was geared to run in parallel with the festival.

The parade included stiltwalkers, dancers carrying streamers and colourful willow creatures. Costumed members of the youth theatre were led by a band of newly-trained samba drummers.

Following the parade, the entertainment continued with a puppet show by About Face Theatre Company in St Katherine's Hall and music from Dead Man Singing.