REVELLERS braved the icy cold and snow to celebrate St Patrick's Day in Huddersfield.

A crowd of 3,000 people turned out for the town's sixth annual St Patrick's Day parade.

Despite the wintry weather, onlookers were in high spirits as they remembered Ireland's patron saint.

Parade secretary John McLoughlin said: "We've now had nearly every weather condition imaginable! What it has proved is that regardless of conditions, people will support the parade and want to be part of it.

"We have become part of Huddersfield's social calendar.

"Not only is it an event for the Irish, but for all the people of Huddersfield."

The parade of 10 floats set off from the Huddersfield Irish Centre at Fitzwilliam Street at 1pm.

It was headed by a party of flag bearers, who were followed by The St John's Pipe Band, from Tralee, in County Kerry.

The drum and pipe marching band - which is celebrating its 40th anniversary - is renowned for its role in the famous festival of The Rose of Tralee.

The parade also featured a vintage wagon from O'Shaughnessy's - bearing an accordion-playing Santa Claus.

Children from St Patrick's Primary School in Birkby had made a float, as had St Patrick's Centre and Huddersfield Irish Centre.

Other floats present belonged to the Huddersfield Irish Centre Football Club, the Mna Na H'Eirann (women of Ireland), the Celtic Tiger/Euro Brownies and Irish Society, the Frances Cassidy School of Irish Dancing, the Brothers Pearse Gaelic football club and Halifax Irish Centre.

Parade performers also included Marsden Majorettes and Silver Stars Majorettes, from Crosland Moor.

More musical entertainment was provided by Brother Walfrid Greyfriar's Flute Band, from Nottingham, and The Ballyshannon Ceili Group, from County Donegal, who brought up the rear of the parade.

Among the floats and bands were famous Irish characters Molly Malone and the Turfman of Ardee, children's entertainers, fancy dress leprechauns, walking Guinness glasses, stilt walkers, balloon distributors and face painters.

After 90 minutes, the parade along the 1.3 mile route was complete.

The crowds escaped the chilly weather to enjoy post-parade entertainment at the Huddersfield Irish Centre and at the St Patrick's Centre, Westgate.

Local performers Ragmuffin and Celtic duo George and Bailey played, along with Brother Walfrid Greyfriar's Flute Band, The St John's Pipe Band and The Ballyshannon Ceili Group.

The two visiting Irish bands had already performed a pre-parade concert at the Huddersfield Irish Centre on Saturday night.

Children partied the day away at a disco on Sunday until 7.30pm, when adults were left alone to celebrate.