UMBRELLAS of all colours, shapes and sizes decorated the streets of Lyme Regis as part of this year’s popular Jazz Festival.

Traditionally held over the final weekend of May at the Marine Theatre, the Jazz Festival kicked off a summer of music festivals in the town.

Jazz band Jelly Jazz took to the stage to begin the festival before DJ Peter Isaac and DJ Griff stepped up to the decks.

The final act of the first night was an eight-piece funk band called Freshly Squeezed.

Saturday marked the day the festival got into full swing, with the traditional Umbrella Parade beginning from Broad Street at 11am, led by Gerry Brown and the Mission Hall Band.

Members of the public and local organisations were invited to take part in the parade and decorate their umbrellas, with prizes for best entries available.

Umbrellas featuring glitter, feathers, tassels, flowers, hearts and trumpets lined the streets to welcome this year’s event.

Festival publicist Julie Sheppard said: “We hope everyone enjoyed this year’s weekend of music and mayhem as much as we did.

“We’d like to thank everyone who took part in the Umbrella Parade, especially all the little people who made such a good job of decorating their brollies.

“This year’s Jazz and Blues Weekend ended with a rip-roaring, foot-stomping finale from 60s soul man Geno Washington on Sunday evening at Marine Theatre. “And Lyme Bay Lindy provided a jumping and jiving vintage Saturday evening of dance to an energetic and enthusiastic crowd.”

The parade finished at the seafront, where Arcadia played in the Jubilee Pavilion until 2pm, which was then followed by Gerry Brown and his band at the Marine Theatre.

On Saturday night, the Pedigree Jazz Band took to the stage at the Marine Theatre, playing music from the 1930s and 40s, where a competition for best vintage outfits also took place.

A ‘Jazz Brunch’ was held on Sunday, after a successful trial run at last year’s festival.

Popular soul singer Geno Washington and the Yo-Yos then performed 60s soul and R&B at the Marine Theatre which finished off the festival.

Julie added: “Finally, of course, a big thanks to the army of volunteers and businesses who supported us.

“We’ll be back the same time next year with some tweaks to the programme and possibly a few surprises, so watch this space.”