A PARADE of cars lined the streets to bid farewell to the latest school leavers.

Yarlside Primary School in Barrow deviated away from their annual tradition of an open top bus due to Covid-19 and, instead, replaced the celebrations with a parade of cars.

Dozens of parents drove their decorated cars around the Holbock Estate, donning balloons, banners and even some inflatable dinosaurs.

The parade drove in convoy around the estate to bid the pupils a final farewell before they move on to their respective secondary schools.

Organiser Kerry McCreanor, said: “We had to cancel the traditional open top bus, which is tradition for school leavers, due to Covid-19 restrictions, so the parents of the Yarlside Year 6 leavers replaced it with something even more fun - a decorated car parade around the Holbeck estate.

“There were some amazing creations - including a fabulous dinosaur car, lots of balloons in school colours - every family made a real effort.

“We asked local residents using social media to come and line the streets and give the Year 6 kids a clap and a cheer to help us create a memorable last day.”

Ms McCreanor described the atmosphere as ‘amazing’.

She said: “There were hundreds of people lining the streets with homemade banners and flags.

“Everyone was honking their horns and clapping. We are overwhelmed by the support and have definitely made their last day in school one to remember. Residents said they could hear the noise all over the estate and it was a highlight of the year.

“The poor quarantine class that has missed out on what should have been one of their most exciting terms at Yarlside certainly got a send off to remember.

“I am so pleased we managed to pull it off and keep it a secret. The children couldn’t believe their eyes when they saw all the cars lined up.”

Headteacher, Janine Pierce, said: “This isn’t the send off we originally planned for our Year 6 leavers but the best we could do in the current situation. We held an online leavers assembly on Wednesday and today sent the children off to clapping, cheers, blowing bubbles and the car parade that the parents had planned.

“Our Year 6 pupils have been with us for eight years it is always really important that we give them the send off that they will remember and even more so in the current climate.”