An 18-metre sperm whale, giant bananas and stilt walkers dressed as flowers took to the streets to celebrate the Margate Rocks contemporary visual arts festival.

Organised by Thanet District Council and Margate Town Partnership, the street festival, which has an arts and ecology theme, showcased local arts, crafts and produce.

Young artists enjoyed pavement drawing sessions and took part in fish talks inside a life-sized 18m inflatable sperm whale, where they encountered pirates and mermaids set in a stunning seascape.

Other attractions included an animatronic creature and his herder, music by Big Band Percussion and Waterhouse, and a special appearance by the Margate shell ladies.

Cllr Roger Latchford, council cabinet member for culture and economy, said: “Margate is already beginning to change rapidly and much of that is the result of arts-led regeneration, particularly through the development of Turner Contemporary.”

More information available at www.margaterocks.com