Hundreds more are expected to line the streets of Hebden Bridge on Saturday (June 20) to watch the lively event organised by HEADS and Thingumajig Theatre.

This year's parade is expected to be even bigger and brighter than last year's event, which brought a fun-filled atmosphere to the town and attracted widespread praise from all involved.

Participants have been busy making colourful costumes, masks and other accessories at a number of community workshops staged by parade organisers…all under the theme of The Glorious Garden Party.

Characters taking part include ladybirds, slugs, butterflies, bees, flowers and garden gnomes.

Parade artistic director Andrew Kim said: "We have loads of brilliant costumes, giant puppets and floats on the go, five bands, singing gnomes, dancing bees, punk slugs and giant mechanical bugs.

"At the park, there will be a finale performed by Calder High Expressive Arts students, featuring 100 dancers and 20 musicians.

"Bring your picnic and a blanket, or buy food from local vendors and stay with us for a relaxed programme of music and dance in the park afterwards."

Starting at 2pm, the parade begins at Victoria Road and winds its way through Hebden Bridge via Valley Road and Bridge Gate to Calder Holmes Park where a community picnic will take place. Free acoustic entertainment and local food stalls will be available.

"The Handmade Parade promises to be an absolute rainbow of colour, with hundreds of people taking part and enjoying a great community event," said Jude Wadley, of HEADS.

"People of all different ages and generations will be joining in. We're looking forward to a really great turnout for the parade and the picnic afterwards."

A number of organisations, businesses and individuals have supported the Handmade Parade and associated workshops.

These include Arts Council England, Yorkshire, Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales, Hebden Royd Town Council, Calderdale Council Rural Grant, Calderdale Council Community Grant, the Community Foundation for Calderdale, South Pennines Leader Programme, and Pennine Prospects via the Heritage Lottery Fund.

For more information about the parade and the picnic visit www.hebdenbridgeparade.org or contact HEADS on 01422 846060 or info@heads.org.uk

TWO junior schools in Mytholmroyd – Burnley Road and Scout Road – have been working with Yorkshire artist Fran Sierrvogel to produce two human-size twite sculptures which will be worn as part of the Handmade Parade