BRILLIANT BOATS WOW FIRST NIGHT ILLUMINATIONS CROWDS

The biggest ever parade of Matlock Bath Illuminations decorated and illuminated boats took to the River Derwent on Saturday night as the centrepiece at the historic event's opening night.

Thousands of visitors at a capacity first night witnessed the magnificent parade.

First held in Matlock Bath way back in 1897 to celebrate Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee, the Illuminations continue every weekend until Sunday 26th October, plus Friday 24th October.

The boat themes this year range from cartoon heroes Bluey and Fireman Sam, tributes to classic films Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Dumbo, Jaws and the Sound of Music, plus a racing truck, the Eiffel Tower, video games, a fairground ride, a beautiful peacock and a Royal barge.

There's also a traditional candle boat – demonstrating the way the boats used to be lit before the introduction of electricity and then LED lighting. This year's theme is 'For the Fallen' – a poppy and silhouetted soldiers to mark the 80th anniversary year of the end of World War II.

The Illuminations are organised by Derbyshire Dales District Council, whose civic chair Councillor David Chapman performed the big lights switch-on on Saturday night. The boats are created and put together by the Matlock Bath Venetian Boat Builders' Association.

Six of the upcoming Illuminations nights are already sold out. More information and a booking link is available at www.derbyshiredales.gov.uk/illuminations