Irish eyes were smiling on Saturday as the annual St Patrick's Day parade travelled through Luton.

The town centre was a sea of green as those hailing from the Emerald Isle celebrated their saint with a colourful display.

Stilt walkers, Irish dancers and marching bands wowed the crowds, which lined the streets in their hundreds from Castle Street to St George's Square as the parade passed by.

Pipe bands led the procession, with the famous song Fields Of Athenry providing the soundtrack to the walkers further back.

Mayor of Luton Councillor Norris Bullock watched the festivities and waved from the Town Hall balcony with other local dignitaries, before addressing the hordes of people in St George's Square - which was bustling with people milling around the Irish market.

Luton partied the weekend away, with dancing displays and singers in the Arndale Centre on Saturday afternoon and again on Monday - St Patrick's Day itself.

The Duffy Brothers were in concert on Sunday night at Luton Library Theatre, and the venue saw film buffs flock in last night for the double-bill of movies Once and Hear My Song.