CHESTER was home to a medieval menagerie last weekend as the traditional Midsummer Watch Parade made its way through the city's streets.

The medieval parade – the country’s oldest and most colourful street parade dating from 1498 – saw such attractions as a pirate ship, dragons, Angels, the Chester Ravens, unicorn, stag, hobby horses, St Werburgh, Green Men, Balaam's Ass, Cernunnus the Celtic Lord of the Forest, Raven Band and Devil Band.

Schools and youth groups across the borough created new characters for the parade in workshops run by Chester artist Russell Kirk.

Boughton Heath primary and Overleigh St Mary’s were Green Men, Belgrave Primary carried Suns. Cherry Grove created fish to carry and Newton Primary will join St Werburgh as geese.

Italian language students were ravens, Cheshire College South and West students featured as a raven band and Minerva Arts were devils.

Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Wellbeing said: “The Midsummer Watch Parade is one of the summer highlights, thanks to the hundreds of local people participating and celebrating Chester’s unique history.

“The Midsummer Watch characters are based on descriptions from the city archives including our famous family of giants.”

The Summer Watch was originally performed by the City Guilds at Midsummer. It was disbanded in the 1670s before being revived in 1989, featuring the Chester family of giants. The Midsummer Watch 'Family of Giants' the father, mother and two daughters are towering four metre figures.