Hundreds of families took to a North East city today to take part in a community lantern parade.

After a two-year break many residents kicked off the Christmas time in Durham City this afternoon.

The Children’s Lantern Parade returned starting at Market Place and making its way up to Durham Cathedral before a service.

Pictures from the event show parents and children battling the cold conditions as they follow the parade through the city centre.

Meanwhile, many people stayed in the area for a bustling Christmas market offering the usual festive treats from food to Christmas decorations.

Check out pictures from the event below:

The Northern Echo: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTTPicture: SARAH CALDECOTT (Image: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT)

The Northern Echo: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTTPicture: SARAH CALDECOTT (Image: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT)

The Northern Echo: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTTPicture: SARAH CALDECOTT (Image: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT)

The Northern Echo: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTTPicture: SARAH CALDECOTT (Image: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT)

The Northern Echo: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTTPicture: SARAH CALDECOTT (Image: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT)

The Northern Echo: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTTPicture: SARAH CALDECOTT (Image: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT)

The Northern Echo: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTTPicture: SARAH CALDECOTT (Image: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT)

The Northern Echo: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTTPicture: SARAH CALDECOTT (Image: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT)

The Northern Echo: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTTPicture: SARAH CALDECOTT (Image: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT)

The Northern Echo: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTTPicture: SARAH CALDECOTT (Image: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT)

The Northern Echo: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTTPicture: SARAH CALDECOTT (Image: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT)

The Northern Echo: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTTPicture: SARAH CALDECOTT (Image: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT)

The Northern Echo: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTTPicture: SARAH CALDECOTT (Image: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT)

The Northern Echo: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTTPicture: SARAH CALDECOTT (Image: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT)

The Northern Echo: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTTPicture: SARAH CALDECOTT (Image: Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Read next:

If you want to read more great stories, why not subscribe to your Northern Echo for as little as £1.25 a week. Click here