MARSDEN was set alight by the 15th annual Imbolc Celtic fire festival on Saturday.

Bad weather failed to stop the crowds joining a torchlight procession from Marsden Railway Station to Standedge Tunnel complete with stilt-walkers and fireswingers.

The 2000-year-old festival marks the beginning of Spring.

Candles and fire are used in the festival to represent the return of warmth and the increasing power of the Sun over coming months.

Dozens of people gathered at the railway station in Station Street to join the procession, which followed the path of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal to the Tunnel.

Following the march, guests enjoyed a theatrical battle of the seasons between Jack Frost and The Green Man.

Music was provided by an orchestra comprising musicians from around Marsden. Three samba bands – including Huddersfield’s Slick Stick Sambastic – kept the beat pulsing.

A spectacular pyrotechnic finale by Pa Boom Phenomenal Fireworks brought the evening to a close.

Organiser Angie Boycott-Garnett said: “I hope everyone had a great night despite the weather.”