Funding from a Gloucester business group will allow schoolchildren from the county to take part in the annual spectacle that is the city's Christmas lantern procession.

The annual spectacle is due to return on Sunday (November 18) when the city will once again be illuminated by a parade of lanterns designed by local schoolchildren and artists.

Additional funding from Gloucester Business Improvement District (Gloucester BID) has meant that schools from all over Gloucestershire will have the opportunity to take part in the procession too.

The costs for the artists and materials will be covered by the event organisers, Marketing Gloucester and supported with funding by Gloucester City Council.

Artists will be assigned to each school and will work with them to make the lanterns during a few sessions over October and November.

In previous years, the theme for the lantern procession included The Twelve Days of Christmas, The Nutcracker and Beatrix Potter's The Tailor of Gloucester.

Interested schools will need to provide:

• A good-sized space for artists to work with the children and somewhere to store materials and lanterns as they are built.

• A member of staff to stay with the children at all times to supervise the children and assist the artist.

• A minimum of 30 children to take part in procession on the day itself.

• Transport for the lanterns to and from the starting point.

LANTERN WORKSHOP - THIS SATURDAY! Round up the kids & head down to Kings Walk this SAT for a #FREE family #workshop, run by Urban Canvas. Make your very own lantern to take home for the festive season or for the amazing #Christmas #Lantern Procession in the city centre on Sunday! pic.twitter.com/P5HkJ1zSuP

— GloucesterBID (@GloucesterBID) November 13, 2018

The procession begins at Blackfriars Priory, through the city centre and finishes at Gloucester Cathedral where the public are invited to a free carol service.

"The BID is delighted to be able to support this year's Christmas Lantern Procession, particularly as it has allowed schools from further afield to get involved," said a spokesman from the BID.

"The Lantern Procession is a fantastic opportunity for many people outside of the city to experience Gloucester's fantastic community spirit, especially as this could be the first time many of these people have visited the city.

"The event is also a great driver for footfall and is exactly the kind of thing the BID looks to get behind."

Natasha Roumian, event co-ordinator at Marketing Gloucester, said: "The Lantern Procession is always a popular event among families in Gloucester. We're always on the look-out for new schools and their pupils to get involved and to welcome new visitors one of our most successful events."

Marching bands and performers are also invited to get in touch to take part in the procession.

To register your school's interest, please contact Marketing Gloucester  by Friday 20 July by emailing info@marketinggloucester.co.uk  or phone 01452 207020.