RAIN did not stop more than 2,000 people taking to the streets of an Isle of Wight town in the first Lights of Love Parade.

Nearly 500 hand-made willow and tissue lanterns adorned the parade in Ryde, which was the first of its kind designed to foster a community spirit.

A total of ten schools and various Scouting organisations joined their parents to light up the night sky and encourage the festive spirit.

Parade development officer Frankie Goldspink, of the Ryde Development Trust, said: "The take-up for lantern making workshops in Ryde has been fantastic. About 50 local artists have worked with members of the community to create 500 lanterns."

Pupils in the town had worked for five weeks to produce the various lanterns.

At 5.45pm the parade set off at the top of the High Street, in Ryde, and worked down to the seafront where the Rev Derek Hoe led a community carol concert.

Among the highlights, pupils from Ryde High School made lanterns to represent the "12 days of Christmas" theme.

IOW Council's Arts Unit in partnership with the Ryde Development Trust and the Ryde Community Forum managed the event.

With a £6.25m regeneration budget, the Ryde Development Trust, an off-hoot of the South East England Development Agency, has been organising community events to cement a community spirit.