St Patrick's Parade back after five year absence

The parade was first held in Birmingham in the 1950s

The return of Birmingham's St Patrick's day parade after a five year absence will be "a celebration like no other", its organisers have promised.

It has not been held since the 2020 event was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

This year will be the 50th parade to take place in the city and the Birmingham Irish Association said it will have "Irish myths and legends" as its theme.

A civic reception is due to take place on Friday, ahead of the parade itself, which takes place on 17 March.

The Irish association said the parade would take place at "the spiritual home of the Irish in Birmingham", Digbeth.

Among those due to take part in the parade are the West Midlands Fire Service Float and Pipe Band, the Birmingham Irish Heritage Group, and the West Midlands Peaky Blinder Group.

A number of local schools will be involved too.

The event is also intended to be a cross-cultural celebration and will be joined by Samba bands and the Chinese Community Centre.