'Outer space' lantern procession returns to city

A city will be lit up with lanterns this weekend as a free festival returns for its sixth year.

The Wells Lantern Festival takes place on Saturday, starting with a procession from Wells Cathedral.

The parade through the city starts at 18:30 GMT with the theme being "It Came From Outer Space". Organisers are encouraging people to craft lanterns with aliens, rockets, galaxies and stars, with prizes for the best ones.

Ann Whalley, director of Project Factory, the local community interest company that organised the event, said: "There's usually about 300 people there and it's just a wonderful event across generations."

She added everyone was welcome and they did not have to make new lanterns.

"Bring all the lanterns from previous years - everything from simple to complex.

"I'm actually bringing our dog lantern - we did a huge one a couple of years ago. Younger children can just bring a star or a stick with a light on."

There will be three judges - the festival's founder, the dean of the cathedral and the city's mayor - giving out three prizes.

They include Best in Festival, The Most Outrageously Illuminated, and The Cosmic Comedy Award.

Though everyone will get a prize of some kind, Whalley told BBC Radio Somerset.

The Bristol Ambling Band will lead the procession, with Wells-based Samba Do Bispo also performing.

Food and dancing are also on the schedule for the evening.

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