Padstow's 'Obby 'Oss festival returns

Thousands of people have lined the streets of Padstow for the occasion

One of the UK's oldest surviving festivals has taken place in Cornwall.

May Day in Padstow is a celebration of the Celtic feast of Beltane, which pays tribute to the fast approach of summer.

Padstow's narrow streets were at the heart of the party.

There was a procession with dancers, drums, and music makers and the celebrations went on until midnight.

The 'Oss are accompanied by traditional music

Padstow's two 'Obby 'Oss - wooden hobby horse costumes - are paraded through the town for the celebrations every year.

The ancient tradition has brought thousands of people to the streets of the town, cheering for either the blue or red ribbon hobby horses.

The history of Padstow's May Day celebrations

Thousands of people attend the annual May Day parade in Padstow.

The exact origin of the centuries-old 'Obby 'Oss celebration is unknown, however it is thought it could be linked to the ancient Celtic festival of Beltane.

It sees the 'Obby 'Oss dance through the streets of Padstow to welcome the coming of summer.

Two black-framed costumes or "'osses" parade through the streets accompanied by dancers, drums and accordions.

The 'Oss costumes - red and blue - are worn by a number of people through the day.

Doug Martyn is the master of ceremonies for the blue ribbon hobby horse parade

Doug Martyn, who is the master of ceremonies for the blue ribbon 'Oss, said it was "such a special day".

He told BBC Radio Cornwall it was "nerve-wracking" to be responsible for the proceedings, because it was "a hell of a day for the people of Padstow".

Children at Padstow School have already had their own "strike" in the school hall.

Pupil Faith said: "May Day's quite exciting for me, because I look forward to it every year, my dad does master of ceremonies for the red 'Oss.

"I tease my dad every year in the 'Oss anyway, so I kind of already get the opportunity."

Children in Padstow have been preparing for the May Day celebrations

In 2019, a woman died after being struck by one of the wooden costumes.

Laura Smallwood, 34, was hit by the blue-ribboned 'Oss.

She died at Derriford Hospital three days after the Padstow celebration.

An inquest recorded a conclusion of accidental death.

Changes to the organisation, including increasing the number of stewards and more medical provision, were made following her death.