A LOTTERY grant has given St Patrick's Day celebrations in Huddersfield a boost.

Organisers are to use a £4,700 gift from the National Lottery's Award For All fund to help pay for two top Irish bands to play at the parade on March 14.

Limerick-based Newcastle West and District Pipers and The Bofield Ceili Band, from County Mayo, will be in town.

St Patrick's Day is actually on March 21, but the parade is being held early because the bands have engagements in Ireland on the big day itself.

The festivities will start at 12.15pm, when the Moon De Lune Jazz Players perform in the Market Place and the Frances Cassidy School of Irish Dancing's float arrives at St Patrick's Club in New North Parade.

At 12.30pm Kirklees Mayor Clr Barbara Allonby will arrive at the Irish Centre in Fitzwilliam Street and the parade will start at 1pm. The pipers will lead the procession through Huddersfield town centre and the ceili band will be at the rear.

Also featured in the parade will be 10 themed decorative floats, street entertainers, musicians, dancers, DJs, fancy dress and children's events.

The parade will wind its way along a circular route of just over a mile in the town centre, starting and finishing at the Irish Centre.

After the parade, Irish band Scarlet Heights will perform at the Irish Centre, starting at 3pm.

The Pipers and the Ceili Band will play from 5.30pm at the Irish Centre. Admission for this concert will be £2.

This money will go towards the running costs of the event, which are expected to total £15,000.