Pictures and video from St Piran's Day Lantern Parade in Helston

An array of twinkling lights arrived from all directions to descend on Church Street and Old Market Place, where Helston Town Band was waiting outside the Museum of Cornish Life to play Cornish songs including Trelawny and Cornwall My Home.

Schools from all three of Helston's primary schools, Parc Eglos, St Michael's and Nansloe, made lanterns and took part in the procession.

Each left their school and processed along a different route through the town to gather at the central point.

Some of the lanterns on parade

All three were led by members of Helston Town Band playing music as they went.

Members of the public were also able to get involved, after families had the chance to make lanterns at the CAST building in Penrose Road during the half term break.

Melissa Benyon made a peapod lantern to highlight Incredible Edible

The workshops were led by Lucy Grant and Vicky Wiltshire and proved hugely popular, attracting hundreds of participants of all ages.

The event itself was equally well supported, with crowds of people lining the street to see the lanterns pass by and Church Street filled toe-to-toe with those taking part, giving it an atmosphere similar to Flora Day.

A spectacular dragon lantern

Money for the project came from the Welcome Back Fund, funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

The Welcome Back Fund supports the safe return to high streets following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Adults as well as children took part

Sylvia with her lantern creation

Ayva and her butterfly

Jenny Jackson made a pushable lantern

A bunny and a butterfuly were also among the creations

The lanterns lit up in Church Street