HUGE crowds gathered in Painswick on Saturday for the village’s first wearable art parade.

More than 1,000 spectators watched as 30 artists paraded through the streets in extravagant, imaginative and bizarre costumes.

Actor Keith Allen hosted the colourful event that was thought up by villagers as a way to attract more visitors to Painswick, and as a way of opening their summer arts festival which continues throughout August.

Sculptor Dan Chadwick and fashion designer Selina Blow judged costumes for their creative content, interpretation and craftsmanship.

Winners included Clare Gerbrands, in the independent artist category, with her costume Foxy Lady.

Alice and Florence Early won the art college category with their creation Dark Horse.

Abigail Garbett won the secondary school category with Dolly Couture and Naomi Spiers won the primary school category with her creation Sole Survivors.

Meanwhile Ann Castle won the veteran category with Des Res.

There was also a category for a Weird and Wonderful bra to raise money for Cobalt, a breast cancer charity.

Annie Gill won with a bra made out of copper called Phantom Bath Boiler.

Libby Graesser, one of the organisers, said: "The day was absolutely fantastic - it exceeded our wildest dreams in terms of how many people came.

"All the artists put so much effort into their outfits – they really came up trumps.

"We would really like this to become an annual event for Painswick and urge those interested to keep checking our website – www.wearableartpainswick.co.uk."

The winning wearable art entries will be displayed in shop windows and at St Mary’s Church in Painswick for the rest of this month.

For more information about the summer arts festival visit www.painswickartsfestival.moonfruit.com