THOUSANDS of people lined the cobbled streets of a small market town to watch an array of lanterns pass by. 

The Ulverston Lantern Festival on Saturday night went off with a bang as music and excited children filled the streets. 

The theme for the 33rd lantern festival was 'out of the toybox' and the people taking part went all out. 

There was characters from Minecraft, trains, a huge jack-in-the-box, teddy bears, an R2D2 and even a huge rocking horse.

One of the children keen to take part was six-year-old Harry Cassidy, from Ulverston. 

He, with his four-year-old brother Bobby, created a lantern based on the character 'Steve' from Minecraft. 

His mum, Sarah Cassidy, said: "We come to the lantern festival every year because the boys love it, it's a really nice night out and everyone makes such an effort."

One of the teddy bear lanterns had been created by Faith Bolton, 6, from Walney. 

She came to the festival with her brother, Tyler, 11 and her grandparents. 

Pamela Bolton, her grandmother, said: "We bring the grandchildren every year, we used to come and just watch but now we have grandchildren and they like to make something for it. 

"They just love this event. Faith likes to get sticky putting it together and Tyler enjoys doing the framework - it's a lovely family event." 

This is a festival that not only inspired the imagination of children but gave adults the chance to explore their creative side. 

A large attendance was expected as the organising committee for the festival announced they had sold out of lantern making kits the week before. 

The vice chairman of the organising committee, Chris Nelson, said: "It was fantastic, we were lucky with the weather and there was a great turn out from the crowds. 

"We had about 570 lanterns in the procession and that's well up on last year, I think we had about 450 last year. 

"This demonstrates just how many people supported the festival and it was just fantastic, we had some great creations and every one seemed to have a great time. 

"I would also like to say thank you to everyone who volunteered to help with the event because it takes a lot to make it happen and they did a really good job." 

There were four meeting points at the start of the procession, which included, the Parish Church in town, Croftlands Community Centre, Honeypot Auctionmart Yard and Swarthmoor Hillfoot Hotel. 

The groups started their descent into the town at around 7.15pm and all met up together at the Coronation Hall at 8.30pm. 

The procession then made its way up to Ford Park where a performance was put on by Community Spark. 

The performance was put together by Jennifer Street of art company, Matrix Circus, and involved local people dressed up as different toys and fairies, using LED hoops and flaming fans. 

Mrs Street said: “Our aim was to give people within the South Lakeland community a platform and confidence to engage in the circus arts. 

"We provided a supportive safe environment for people to express themselves in a playful relaxed group, to build self-confidence and a sense of empowerment through performance.”

A highlight was the music provided by Deatbeats who were all dressed as toy soldiers drumming away throughout the performance. 

The magical evening was deemed a success and after the performance everyone was brought to a standstill as they admired the firework display that brought the 33rd lantern festival to a close.