Lanterns shine for Truro's City of Lights

Approximately 25,000 people descended on Truro last night for the annual City of Lights festival.

This year's theme "Expect the Unexpected" resulted in an eclectic array of large lanterns, accompanied by nearly 1,000 local schoolchildren who had created smaller lanterns during the last few weeks. They were joined by samba, brass and celtic bands as well as dancers as the parade meandered through the streets on a new route beginning at the top of Lemon Street. 

The procession, which has been held every year since 1995 and concludes with the switching on of the city's Christmas lights, is estimated to require approximately 30 bundles of withies (willow), 20 packs of tissue paper, 400 rolls of masking tape, 400 candles, 4kg of wire and 120 litres of glue.

Supporters this year include The Barley, Enterprise Boats, Creative Edge, Carlyon & Sons, Sole Plaice, Shanghai Lounge, Totally Truro, Truro City Council, Truro Chamber, Malletts, Wig and Pen, Hotel Tresanton, Lillicrap & Chilcott, Wardell Armstrong, Hendras, Seasalt, Lloyds Bank and Mannings Hotel. New sponsors are William IV pub and jewellers No 1 King Street, with others giving donations such as St Eval candles, Carters Packaging, Skinner's Brewery, Gould Radios and Dash Drive. The event relies on donations and a new campaign, Buy a Bit, gives everyone the chance to buy a piece of the City of Lights from as little as £2.