On Sunday (26 March), thousands of Stoke-on-Trent residents gathered in Longton to celebrate the 18th-century Mayor in a spectacular carnival and Pig Walk parade. 

John Aynsley, born in 1823, was elected as Mayor of Longton in 1886 and most famously, won the land for Queen's Park by driving a pig into Longton. 

The day aimed to celebrate the story of Mayor Aynsley as well as recreate popular carnivals which took place in the early 1990s in Longton.

Costumes seen in the parade were made in a pop-up shop led by Deb Rogers (Nub News).

Longton Exchange Shopping Centre saw performances from Trentham Brass Band and Frontline Dance as well as market stalls by Castle Artisan, charity stalls and facepainting. 

The Pig Walk Parade at 2pm travelled through The Strand, led by a giant pig puppet, with music from local musician Danny Shaw, costumes made in a pop-up shop led by Deb Rogers, and school children and performance groups danced in the street. 

Longton Exchange was full of market stalls and fairground rides (Nub News).

Isla Telford, from organisers Urban Wilderness, told Stoke Nub News: "Everything went really smoothy, it was several months of careful planning and we were really lucky with the weather.

"We're delighted with the number of people that came out and supported the event and had a good time - All the markets sold out of food and the fairground was packed all day.

"The children all had a great time dancing in the street; for many of them it was the first time they've seen a parade let alone been in one. 

"The feedback from Longton looking and feeling busy was amazing, everyone was delighted and said it's so lovely to see Longton busy."

Children from local schools also took part in the parade (Nub News).

Urban Wilderness hope to bring the carnival back bigger and better next year. 

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