Margate rock and rolled its way to a bright and breezy Christmas with one of the town's most exuberant festive parades.

Just like the town's seaside traditions, it was brash, noisy, and boisterous and it created a blaze of colour, light and energy.

Hundreds of flag-waving marchers in colourful LED-lit creative costumes from Hartsdown Technology College were the centrepiece of the festivities together with the thunderous samba sound of the superb Bloco Fogo percussionists.

At its head was the sea cadets marching band followed by mayor Ted Watt-Ruffell, his town sergeant Lawrence Baxter and Margate's civic mascot eight-year-old Billy Gamble resplendent in his green uniform and tri-corn hat.

Charter Trustees in their pomp and pageantry followed, joined in the procession by invited guests including North Thanet MP Roger Gale and Thanet district scouts president Ann Wells MBE.

In his welcoming speech the mayor told the crowd how the future of the town lay in the civic pride of its youth which is one of his main campaigns in office and he praised all those who took part in the parade.

Five specially-invited 'local heroes' were invited to switch on the festive illuminations after kmfm presenter Johnny Lewis whipped up the crowd to a loud and frenzied countdown that could be heard in Cliftonville.

Flag dances from Hartsdown, and a vibrant and rhythmic percussion show, gave way to a firework finale that set the sparkle on Margate's festivities.

For full story and more pictures, see the Thanet Extra, out today.