Thousands turn out for Lichfield Bower

Tens of thousands descended on Lichfield from across Staffordshire and the Black County for one of the country's oldest and most successful city celebrations.

Roads and car parks were blocked off for yesterday's Greenhill Bower as members of the public flooded streets for the historic pageant.

The traditional bower procession - featuring around 70 units and representing 40 organisations - launched this year's proceedings, leading from Cherry Orchard to the city centre in the morning.

There was a Battle of Britain Memorial fly-by early in the afternoon, the crowning of the Bower Queen, displays by the Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas - back by request after last year's bumper Bower - and Shaun Smith, a former Britain's Got Talent finalist, performed live for crowds in Beacon Park.

Slides, bouncy castles, a full fun fair, charity stalls, a street market and the traditional Court of Arraye were also among the highlights.

The weather proved kind with plenty of cloud but a generally dry day.