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Nearly a dozen schools and six community groups united to put on a spectacular carnival parade on Saturday to mark the launch of this year's Canterbury Festival.

With hundreds of people lining the city centre's streets to watch and applaud, they proved just as big a hit as the professionally staged parades of previous years.

But this year organisers were determined to involve the community in the launch event and spectators were treated to a colourful and lively parade, including a samba band, African drummers and a New Orleans style jazz band.

The parade, which started in St Peter's Street, wound its way through the streets to the Dane John Gardens, where it culminated in a spectacular fireworks display.

•See the video of the parade above

Saturday night was also the first concert of the festival when Canterbury Choral Society gave a rousing performance to a 900 strong audience at Canterbury Cathedral.

Festival director, Rose Turner said she was 'absolutely delighted' with the parade, which she hoped would develop and grow with more community involvement in future years.

•For pictures see this week's Kentish Gazette