The first of the new giants built by artist Russell Kirk will join this year's Midsummer Watch Parade - starting from Chester Town Hall square.

The parade takes place on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 June and is one of the country's oldest and most colourful street parades.

Its characters are based on descriptions from the city archives, including the famous family of giants. 

The Lord Mayor of Chester, Cllr Sherin Akhtar, will also join the Sunday parade.

Councillor Sherin Akhtar will join the Sunday parade (Image via: Cheshire West and Chester Council)

She said: "This parade has been a firm favourite on the streets of Chester in its current form since 1989, but its origins can be traced back to 1498.  

"The Summer Watch was originally performed by the City Guilds at Midsummer.

"It was disbanded in the 1670's before being revived featuring the Chester family of giants, the father, mother and two daughters, towering four metre figures.

"This year welcomes the first of the new giants built by artist Russell Kirk, who also directs and performs in the parade."

The Summer Watch was originally performed by the City Guilds at Midsummer (Image via: Cheshire West and Chester Council)

Led by the City Guilds, the parade features Chester's Karamba Samba Band - alongside dragons, angels, the Chester ravens, unicorn, stag, hobby horses, St Werburgh (and her geese), green men, Balaam's Ass, Cernunnus the Celtic lord of the forest and a devil Band. 

School children from across the borough have been creating characters for the parade in workshops.

The parade will leave Chester Town Hall Square at 2pm on both days - moving to St Werburgh Street, Eastgate Street, The Cross and Bridge Street, before returning to the Town Hall square for a finale.