WIRRAL was gripped by carnival fever at the weekend as thousands lined the streets to watch parades in New Brighton and Hoylake.

People dressed as pirates turned out for The Love New Brighton Parade, a Community and Creative Arts event for New Brighton organised by the team behind the area's Astral Coast music festival.

And over in Hoylake, a parade was held as part of Wirral's sixth Festival of Firsts, which ends this Saturday.

Wirral Globe:

The Black Pearl Pirates on parade on Saturday. Pictures: Geoff Davies

The Love New Brighton parade took walkers along Magazine Lane, Seabank Road, Rowson Street, Victoria Road, Victoria Parade, Marine Promenade, Kings Parade and finishing at the Dips just beyond Marine Point.

Wirral Globe:

Wirral Globe:

Wirral Globe:

Wirral Globe:

Wirral Globe:

Below: Enjoying the parade. Pictures: Cathy Roberts and Peter Grant

Wirral Globe:

Wirral Globe:

Wirral Festival of Firsts' parade took place along The Kings Gap roundabout to Queens Park. 

The paraders were accompanied by Wirral Pipe Band, Wirral Samba and representatives of many local sports.

Held at venues in Hoylake, Meols and West Kirby it brings together artists, performers, poets and musicians to celebrate the talent and diversity of the Wirral art and music scene.

Judy Ugonna OBE, festival secretary told the Globe: "The weather was a bit drizzly, but that didn't really matter, because it was fantastic day.

"One of the parade highlights was our Razzle Dazzle Piano, which was played as it moved along the street.

"Hundreds of people turned out, making it a fantastic event for all concerned." 

Market Street and Birkenhead Road were temporarily closed to motorists for two hours as the procession took place.