THE rain did little to dampen the spirits of people taking part in Easter events yesterday.

In Worcester city centre, local people and members of the five Rotary clubs in Worcester took part in the first Easter parade, which started outside Debenhams and finished outside the Guildhall.

Those taking part, including Daisy the dog, were decked out in their finest Easter bonnets, and prizes were given for the best bonnets by the mayor of Worcester Councillor David Tibbutt.

Anne Pooley, president of the Rotary Club of Worcester, said the parade was jointly organised by all five Rotary clubs.

Rotarians were also on hand collecting money for the Worcestershire Breast Unit Campaign.

She said: “We feel the weather has let us down a bit but I’m immensely grateful to the people who have turned up.

“It’s the first time we have done it.

“It’s just a bit of fun for people on Easter Monday.”

Coun Tibbutt said: “It’s a pity about the weather but look at the effort everyone has gone to.

“It’s great fun.”

A host of animals visited the Worcestershire County Museum in Hartlebury, near Stourport, from record-breaking bunnies to more exotic species such as meerkats and armadillos.

Also on display at the Creatures Great and Small event were ferrets, creepy crawlies, snakes and a sheep with her lambs.

People also had the chance to play the milk the udder game – to give them the impression of what it would be like to milk a real cow – and then make their own butter, which was a popular success.

There were lots of children’s activities, a display of bones from Worcestershire’s woolly mammoth and a puppet theatre.

Event organiser Pippa Ashmore said: “It’s really busy, I can’t believe it. People are queueing out of the door.

“The rain doesn’t seem to have dampened anyone’s spirits.”