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These stunning images show Manchester’s Italian community celebrating their rich heritage in the city in colourful style.

The streets of Little Italy were lined with hundreds of spectators to watch the annual Madonna del Rosario procession.

Organisers say it was one of the largest walks in recent years and sunny weather on Sunday afternoon helped draw crowds to support the march.

The procession began 127 years ago soon after a local priest created the Manchester Italian Catholic Society to support and educate Italian families living in the city.

The Little Italy district, in Ancoats, became famous for its influx of Italian immigrants in the late 1800s.

Families moved from mainly Lazio and Campagna to find jobs in the city’s booming cotton mills and industrial workplaces. The society, now known as the Manchester Italian Association, still organises the parade.

The Lord Mayor of Manchester Coun Eddy Newman, as well as the former Mayor, Carl Austin-Behan, attended the parade.

Coun Carmine Grimshaw, whose grandfather used to help organise the parade said it was great to see tradition continuing.

He said: “This year, with the help and work of local churches and parishes, it’s one of the biggest we have seen.”

He said it had seen a decline in recent years.

Coun Grimshaw, who represents Miles Platting and Newton Heath, added: “When I was a child it was ten times bigger than this and it’s not that long ago people were talking about stopping it all together.

“So to see it coming back with so many people here, clapping, taking part it fantastic.”