THEY came out in their hundreds on a warm, sunny morning to march through Bolton for the annual civic parade.

Each participant walked proudly along the town's streets from the Town Hall to the Parish Church.

The parade ended with a service conducted by the vicar of Bolton, the Rev Canon Michael Williams.

Yesterday's procession included more than 30 contingents from the Territorial Army and associations such as the Bolton Scout Trust.

All the marching groups gave a salute to the new Mayor of Bolton, Conservative Cllr John Walsh, who was accompanied by other civic dignitaries and their families on the Town Hall steps.

Members of the Smithills School Brass Band and the Bolton Hoover Band provided musical accompaniment for the procession.

Among the civic dignitaries were Bolton Council leader Cllr Bob Howarth and Astley Bridge Conservative Cllr Stuart Lever. Local roads were closed for more than two hours as the procession took place.