Revellers mark May Day

The blue ribbon oss and the red oss dance through the town

Thousands of people have been celebrating in a Cornish town in one of the oldest May Day traditions in the country.

The Padstow Obby Oss festival heralds the arrival of summer.

Some Padstonians travelled across the world to be back home for the celebrations.

And some revellers in the town have been up all night after the midnight start.

They were joined by hundreds of local residents and crowds of fascinated visitors.

Originally there was only one oss, but now there are two; the blue ribbon oss representing peace and the red oss, which is the old oss.

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The osses dance through the town following a man, known as the teaser who entices them with his staff.

The procession is accompanied through the streets by dancers and singers dressed in red and white.

Throughout the day the hypnotic sound of the May Song can be heard in the narrow streets.

The Chairman of the Padstow Old Cornwall Society, the Reverend Barry Kinsman, said: "It is a celebration that is totally spontaneous.

"It's like summer is bursting into life. The whole community is vibrant today and very much alive."