A carnival celebrating a quirky true story from Stoke-on-Trent's past brought thousands of people into Longton today (Sunday 6 April).

Longton Carnival and Pig Walk, organised by Longton-based arts organisation Urban Wilderness CIC, took place around the Longton Exchange shopping centre and The Strand and is this year a part of the city's centenary celebrations.

Featuring performance stages, live music, a funfair, street food and an artisan market, the event also included the spectacular Pig Walk parade – complete with a giant pig puppet called Jolly. The parade was once again accompanied by Stoke-on-Trent-based contemporary nu-marching band KiLNE.

The Lord Mayor Cllr Lyn Sharpe led the way with Dr Allison Gardner MP. (Nub News)

The parade celebrates a true story from the 1880s when the Mayor of Longton, John Aynsley, successfully drove a pig from Trentham to Longton to win a bet with the Duke of Sutherland. As a result, Aynsley won the land to create Queen's Park and the money to build Longton Cottage Hospital.

The organisation's team of creative volunteers have been busy creating pom-poms, sunflowers and other colourful accessories to decorate the town centre ahead of the event. (Nub News)

Isla Telford, co-director of Urban Wilderness CIC, said: "We love working with local community groups and businesses to put this event on for Longton.

"Stoke-on-Trent is one of the greenest cities in England so we are filling Longton with flowers for the day. Our city's motto reminds us that we are stronger together, which is always evident on carnival day because everyone pulls together to create a brilliant day for families and visitors.

The Longton Pig Walk Parade took place at 3pm on Sunday 6 April. (Nub News)

"We know that many people remember growing up attending carnivals with fond nostalgia and we want to bring back that feeling."

This year the team brought in another local character called Meddlesome Millie, who is based on Millicent, the Duchess of Sutherland.

There were some quirky sightings outside Longton Market. (Nub News)

The daughter-in-law of the Duke who made the pig bet with John Aynsley, Millicent was a writer and social reformer who campaigned for better working conditions in the Potteries, including a successful fight to remove lead paint glazes from Staffordshire pottery.

Isla added: "Urban Wilderness CIC are specialists in living heritage and telling local stories for local communities, and we are excited to celebrate another historical figure from Stoke-on-Trent in our carnival and parade.

Dr Alison Gardner MP leading the parade with Lord Mayor Cllr Lyn Sharpe. (Nub News)

"Millicent was an incredible character and was known for her troupe of Pekingese dogs, who will also be remembered in the parade."

Longton Carnival and Pig Walk Parade is produced by Urban Wilderness CIC, supported by the Longton community.

Creative volunteers have been busy creating colourful decorations ahead of the parade. (Nub News)

It is funded by Arts Council England, The National Lottery Community Fund, UK Community Foundations and Stoke-on-Trent City Council through the Shared Prosperity Fund funded by UK Government.

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