Horses are the stars of big parade

Dozens of brightly-decorated horses paraded through a South Staffordshire village as part of a popular Easter event.

Onlookers watched about 40 horses, ranging in size from shires to Shetlands, take to the streets of Lower Penn, near Wolverhampton, for the village's 15th annual Easter Horse Parade.

The colourful show saw larger horses drag carts adorned with streamers and flowers, while smaller equines were given bunny ears and riders donned daffodil hats in a bid to win the Best Fancy Dress awards.

Leading the parade from Langley Hall Farm to The Greyhound pub was 15-year-old grey shire horse, Herbie, who is owned by event organiser Robert Reade.

Mr Reade said: "The parade has just grown and grown every year. The horses love taking part and everybody who comes out to watch has a great day."

Residents cheered the procession on through Market Lane and The Crossroads which were adorned with bunting, Easter eggs and bunny rabbits.Eric Such, aged 73, travelled from Redditch to take part with his shire horses Leo, 11, and Archie, nine, who pulled a decorated wagon. His horse George, who took part in the parade for the last 14 years, passed away in January.

He said: "We're missing George today but it's such a lovely event and we have a great time. I love seeing the smiles on the children's faces as all the horses come past."