Families took part in the first of a series of workshops to help create an illuminated parade, which is set to take place next week.

The Isle of Man Arts Council began their free willow lantern craft workshops last weekend, at the Henry Bloom Noble School, Westmoreland Road, Douglas.

Led by members of the Arts Council, the sessions gave families the chance to construct their own illuminated lanterns, using paper glued around a willow frame to form a wide variety of shapes and designs.

Adults and children spent the first of four planned workshops, on Saturday, creating a variety of lanterns, from simple pyramids to stars, fish and bird shapes and even Christmas trees.

More people took part in the Sunday sessions, with two more sessions set to take part this weekend, on Saturday and Sunday, beginning at 10am until 4pm.

The lanterns will go on to form the annual lantern parade, that will light up the streets of Douglas on Thursday, November 21, during the town centre’s Christmas lights switch on.

The parade will meet in Regent Street at 6.45pm and walk along Strand Street.