CHESTER'S Midsummer Watch Parade returned to the city centre at the weekend to the delight of shoppers and visitors.

The medieval parade dates from 1498 making it the country’s oldest and arguably most colourful street parade.

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The Summer Watch was originally performed by the City Guilds at Midsummer. It was disbanded in the 1670’s before being revived in 1989, featuring the Chester family of giants.

Schools and community groups across the borough created new characters to join the famous family of giants in the parade.

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There were shoals of fish, fleets of pirates, dragons, crows, devils and sunbeams in the iconic parade that made its way along Eastgate Street, The Cross, Northgate Street and Town Hall Square.