Paddington Bear leads famous illuminations parade

Paddington Bear has swapped his adventures in Peru for a trip to Derbyshire and the 40th Matlock Bath illuminations.

The world-famous Peruvian bespectacled bear is leading the parade of 11 boats at the illuminations aboard a colourful float created by father-and-son duo Ian and Mark Page.

Ian and Mark were presented with the Arkwright cup - provided by the local Arkwright family - and Centenary cup for "Paddington's Adventure in London", featuring Big Ben, a miniature version of the London Eye and a traditional red double-decker bus.

Derbyshire Dales District Council said the float would now have the honour of leading out the famous parade for the remainder of the 129th illuminations season.

The event, which runs every weekend until 1 November, was first held in the town in 1897 to mark Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee.

Event sponsors Rupert and Sophie Pugh, of hilltop park and tourist attraction the Heights of Abraham, in Matlock Bath, presented prizes to the boat builders at Saturday's illuminations after visitors voted for the winner on the opening night on 12 September.

Last year's best boat winner, Paul Lill, from Matlock, won the Plumtree cup after he came second with his boat, "Enchanted Luminescence".

The Motley Bunch - Pete Hartshorn, Christine Dence and Richard Wood, from Matlock, took third place with their entry "The Toy Story Express".

The Dave Sanderson Trophy for fourth place went to 14-year-old boat builder Brandon Lill with his model "Glow Koi Go" made from recycled plastic milk cartons.

The compere's award was given to the longest-serving boat builder in the parade, David Gregory, from Matlock, with his vessel "Blackpool's Illuminated Trams".

District council leader Steve Flitter said: "The brilliant boats are the centrepiece of every illuminations night and 129 years after it was first staged, this event continues to be one of this region's most popular autumn attractions, playing a crucial role for local businesses in extending the tourist season in the Derbyshire Dales.

"It was back in 1984 that due to a weather-hit year the illuminations were in big trouble and the district council stepped in to rescue the event. I am immensely proud that, 42 years on, we continue to organise this annual spectacle, which draws around 100,000 people into the Derbyshire Dales every year."

The council said some dates had sold out but there were tickets available.

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