Thousands turn out to celebrate Helston Flora Day

Early dancers start the celebrations for Flora Day

Thousands have gathered in Helston, Cornwall, for the annual Flora Day festival.

The event marks the end of winter and coming of summer, and has been celebrated for hundreds of years.

The celebration has remained virtually unchanged for more than 200 years, with about 20,000 to 25,000 attending each year.

During the day thousands of formally dressed dancers will promenade their way in and out of homes and shops which have been decorated with spring flowers, following the beat from a brass band.

The celebrations started early on Thursday morning with music from the town band

Nigel Pascoe, chair of the Flora Day Association, said it was one of the "most important days of the year" for Helston.

"The weather is pretty good," he added.

"We've got over 180 couples dancing in the Midday Dance. There are 1,100 children dancing and the Early Morning and Evening Dance is filled to capacity."

The event began at the Guildhall at 07:00 BST with the Early Morning or First Dance which was, in times gone by, the dance for workers and servants.

This was followed by dances featuring pupils from Helston's four schools and couples dancing in their finery.

The event marks the coming of summer

At 17:00, the Evening Dance saw the same participants of the Early Morning Dance return to retrace the route of the Midday Dance.

Organisers said Helston Town Centre would be closed to all non-emergency traffic between 05:30 and 22:00 BST.