Dazzling designs float down river at illuminations

An illuminated armada including Orca from the movie Jaws and a rowboat with cartoon dog Bluey at the oars took to the River Derwent for an annual event.

The spectacle was the biggest-ever parade assembled for the Matlock Bath Illuminations, which began on Saturday.

The sold-out opening parade will be repeated each weekend until 26 October, said organisers Derbyshire Dales District Council.

The event was first held in the town in 1897 to mark Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee.

While LED displays dazzle those gathered along the banks these days, a traditional candle boat has also been included this year.

This year's candle boat has a poppy and silhouetted soldiers to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two.

Other electricity-powered designs for 2025 - created by the Matlock Bath Venetian Boat Builders' Association - include Bluey and Fireman Sam, movie-themed vessels including Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Dumbo and The Sound of Music, a fairground ride, a peacock, and even the Eiffel Tower.

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