FOUR rivers of light will converge on Ulverston town centre on Saturday, September 15, for the spectacular lantern procession which bring's this year's charter festival to a close.

To mark the 36th holding of the procession, we are taking a look at Mail archive pictures from the event held in 1994.

This year's event sees lantern-makers from central Ulverston, Croftlands, the Honeypot and Swarthmoor walking to join forces in County Square for around 8.25pm.

They will all arrive at Ford Park ready for the fireworks finale, which is expected to start no later than 9.15pm.

The theme for the 2018 event is Under The Sea and workshops for those keen to produce their own lanterns are being held daily at the Parish Rooms, Church Walk, from 5.30pm to 8.30pm, until Friday, September 14, and on September 10 to 12 in the Coronation Hall, from 4pm to 6.30pm.

Lantern kits, costing £5, are available at various outlets in the town.

The Mail, on Monday, September 19, in 1994, noted: "Thousands of people flocked into Ulverston town centre for the lantern procession which brought the town's charter festival celebrations to a spectacular climax.

"Saturday's event proved to be a real family occasion with an estimated 3,000-strong crowd comprising young and old alike enjoying the fun on a still autumn evening lit by the glow of lanterns.

"The lanterns were all devoted to the theme of How Does Your Garden Grow."

The article noted: "Four separate parades from different parts of the area, including one from Swarthmoor, linked up in the town centre before making a giant river of light heading to Ford Park for the grand finale.

"The chairman of South Lakeland District Council, Cllr Elizabeth Braithwaite and Ulverston mayor, Cllr Jeanette Jenkinson, watched the parade from the balcony of the Coronation Hall before joining the Croftlands procession with two specially made lanterns for the last lap to Ford Park.

"Visitors to Ford Park were greeted by an archway of white lights and inside Welfare State International, the designers had set up an amphitheatre for spectators to enjoy the entertainment which culminated with a fabulous fireworks display."