Thousands watch Manchester Day parade

Thousands of people lined Manchester's streets to watch the first ever Manchester Day parade.

Organisers said about 75,000 turned up to watch the parade, which saw a giant peacock, robots, aliens and astronauts snaking through the city centre.

More than 1,800 people entertained the crowds dressed in spectacular costumes for the "out of this world" theme.

Councillor and Manchester Day chairman Pat Karney said: "This was the best parade Manchester has ever seen."

He added it was "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," he said.

Starting on Liverpool Road at 1400 BST, the spectacle snaked along Deansgate, through Albert Square, onto Peter Street and back to the start.

Manchester City Council said it had been "overwhelmed" at the response from local community groups wanting to take part.

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 event.