Stunning success for first ever Manchester Day

At least 75,000 people lined the streets of Manchester to watch a spectacular parade to mark the first-ever Manchester Day.

More than 1,800 people participated in the parade, drawn from more than 80 community groups, charities and companies from across Manchester.

The parade, sponsored by Siemens, featured remarkable floats, inflatables, larger than life characters, dancers, acrobats and performers.

The event was commissioned by Manchester City Council and produced by internationally-acclaimed event organisers Walk the Plank.

Councillor Pat Karney, Manchester Day chair, said: "This was the best parade Manchester has ever seen - a world-beater up there with New York, Sydney and Rio.

"It was incredible to see how many people turned out in the beaming Manchester sunshine for the parade to celebrate everything that makes our city so great."

Councillor Mike Amesbury, Manchester City Council's executive member for culture and leisure, added: "The first-ever Manchester Day was an amazing event, with sights and sounds the like of which the city has never seen before.

"What made it all the more amazing is that it was all created by Manchester people working together to celebrate pride in our great city."

It is hoped Manchester Day will now become an annual fixture in the city's exciting events calendar.

Manchester Day was a UK-first as no city has ever had a day set aside to celebrate its success.

ENDS