Thousands of residents and visitors gathered to celebrate Alban Day, as two landmark events were combined for the first time.

The annual Alban Pilgrimage and the Alban Street Festival both took place on Saturday (June 22).

The pilgrimage sees puppets parade the street and partake in a re-enactment of the execution of Alban, the first Christian martyr and patron saint from which the city takes its name.

Alban Day is always a popular date on the calendarAlban Day is always a popular date on the calendar (Image: Toby Shepheard)

The parade featured Roman centurions, chariots, lions and, for the first time, a Peregrine Falcon - a representative of the rare bird that frequents the roof of the Cathedral.

The parade is always a highlight of the dayThe parade is always a highlight of the day (Image: Toby Shepheard)

Chris Traill, the St Albans City and District Council’s strategic director for community and place delivery, said: "Alban Day turned out to be both a magnificent spectacle and a great success.

"We were delighted with the number of residents and visitors who attended to watch the spectacular Pilgrimage and then stayed around to enjoy all the wonderful activities that we staged.

"The event brought many thousands of people to the city centre which hopefully provided a boost to our Charter Market traders as well as our shops, pubs, restaurants and other businesses."

The pilgrimage ran alongside the festival which saw live music at the Clock Tower, craft activities and henna tattoos.

Alban was Britain's first Christian martyrAlban was Britain's first Christian martyr (Image: Toby Sheaphard)

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Actors portrayed a host of famous faces from the cities past and entertained crowds throughout the afternoon.

The Revd Dr Kevin Walton, canon chancellor at the Cathedral, said: "It was a delight to work together in this wonderful celebration of not only of our City’s patron but also our nation’s first Christian saint and martyr. Thank you to all who played their part from across the community."

Saturday also marked Windrush Day, which was celebrated with  Caribbean music and food as well as the chance for people to play dominoes, an integral part of Caribbean culture.