Place des Anges Hull event rains feathers on culture city

A free aerial acrobatic event showered the centre of Hull with feathers in a "curtain-raiser" for UK City of Culture 2017.

Place des Anges, in Queens Gardens Hull on Saturday, involved performers dressed as flying angels and fireworks.

Acrobats glided on wires high above the city's buildings and released 1.5 tonnes of feathers on spectators.

A total of 10,000 free tickets had been distributed for the event.

Artists dressed as angels occupied buildings high above the crowds

Acrobats on wires performed in the night sky

Rosie Millard, who chairs the company running the city of culture activities, said: "This is a wonderful trial run, the curtain-raiser if you like for 2017."

The people in Hull had "a real appetite, they know they have a great year ahead", she added.

Initial demand for the free tickets when they were released had caused the event's website to crash.

Performers showered feathers over the crowd

Feathers rain down on the 10,000-strong crowd

The show was created and performed by French theatre producers Gratte Ciel.

Place des Anges was presented by Hull UK City of Culture 2017 and Yorkshire Festival in association with Amy Johnson Festival.

Not snow but feathers cover the ground after the event