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London turns green for St Patrick's Day parade

PA Media Crowds gathered at the side of a parade route in London.PA Media
The streets of London were full of people decked out in green along the parade route

Tens of thousands of people have lined the streets to celebrate St Patrick's Day in London.

More than 50,000 people were expected to join the annual procession of Irish marching bands, dance troupes and pageantry.

The parade, organised by the mayor of London and the London Irish Centre, started in Hyde Park before travelling through Piccadilly to Whitehall.

It culminated in a festival of live performances at Trafalgar Square.

PA Media People talking part in the St Patrick's Day celebrations in Trafalgar Square, central London.PA Media
Trafalgar Square was full of people celebrating St Patrick's Day
PA Media People holding up an Irish flag and smiling.PA Media
About 50,000 people were expected to turn out across the capital
PA Media Drag Queen Panti Bliss (second from left) and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan (centre) at the St Patrick's Day Parade in central London.PA Media
The parade's grand marshal, drag queen Panti Bliss, previously said she was "honoured and excited" to be chosen

Irish drag queen and activist Panti Bliss was grand marshal of this year's parade.

She previously said she was "honoured and excited" to be chosen.

Last month, chief executive officer of the London Irish Centre, Séamus MacCormaic, said the festival would be "celebrating the creativity of the Irish community in London and of Irish artists from the island of Ireland".

PA Media Person wearing green hat and beard. Also dressed in a green tracksuit.PA Media
Chief executive officer of the London Irish Centre, Séamus MacCormaic, said the event would celebrate "the creativity and vibrancy of the Irish community in London"
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