As dusk falls this evening Helston will be lit by twinkling lights in procession, to honour Cornwall's patron saint.

Helston Lantern Parade is making a return for its second year tonight (Saturday) but at a new venue.

Last year's inaugural parade saw the town's schools processing from their classrooms to converge on Church Street and the area outside the Museum of Cornish Life, along with a further group from Helston's CAST building.

This year, however, Coronation Park and boating lake has been chosen for the parade, giving plenty of space for everyone who wants to attend.

The lights reflecting in the water is also expected to make a picturesque backdrop.

It is being held to coincide with St Piran's Day weekend. 

Schools have been preparing in the run up to tonight by making lanterns at school, with families also getting to make lanterns at special workshops at the CAST building in Penrose Road.

The 2022 event saw everything from a butterfly to a space rocket and a giant peapod depicted in willow and tissue paper.

The event is being supported by the team behind Truro City of Lights.

People are being asked to gather at the lake from 6pm, for the parade to begin at 6.30pm.

The parade is expected to last about an hour, although the event runs until 8pm, and is open to everyone to watch.

Cornish singing group Odds 'n' Sods will be performing as part of the evening. 

The Packet will be showing the parade live on the Packet Newspapers Facebook page for anyone unable to attend in person. 

Before then, however, is the judging of the Helston Bakes competition.

Helston Town Council has organised the competition challenging bakers to make a variety of Cornish delicacies including traditional Cornish pasties, Hevva Cake and Cornish splits.

People should take their entries to the Guildhall between 4pm and 5pm, ready for judging on the night.

There are separate categories for under 16 and over 16.