THE streets of Winchester were awash with angels as the cathedral's popular lantern event returned. 

The lantern parade took place at Winchester Cathedral on Friday, November 24 and saw hundreds of people turn up to take part. 

Carols were sung as the lanterns were judged before the crowd paraded through the High Street. 

Hundreds of people had also come out to line the streets and catch a glimpse of the creativity. 

Hampshire Chronicle: Canon Tess Kuin-Lawton judging at Winchester Cathedral Lantern Parade

Liz Ewers, from Fair Oak, was there with her family and a lantern decorated with angels. 

She said: "We came last year to watch and we enjoyed it so much that we thought we would come back this year and take part ourselves."  

Dan Hoare, from Winchester, was also there with his family, wife Jo, son Nat, 10, and Ivy, five. 

Ivy had made a Santa lantern to represent Christmas, while Dan had made an octopus, an often underrepresented nativity animal. 

He said: "We do something each year, it's usually an animal but this year we have gone for an octopus." 

Nat said: "We have been a few times before and I really enjoy making the lanterns and then seeing everybody else's." 

People had come from far and wide for the event. 

Hampshire Chronicle: Dan Hoare at Winchester Cathedral Lantern Parade

Anne Bannister and her friend Sue Abery, from Reading, were making a night out of it. 

They had made an angel out of a pillowcase. 

Anne said: "We saw it on the news last year and we thought we would come and find out for ourselves what it's like. It's great." 

Judging was undertaken by Canon Gary Philbrick, Canon Roly Riem and Canon Tess Kuin Lawton. 

Canon Gary encouraged everybody to think about the church motto this month - Love was born at Christmas. 

Winchester College brass band played some rousing numbers while deliberations were made before Canon Roly declared the winners. 

Hampshire Chronicle: The winners the Bailey family at Winchester Cathedral Lantern Parade

He said: "I have been looking around and it has been brilliant, I have seen flying tortoises, beautifully recycled milk cartons and a jellyfish umbrella. Well done for everyone's imagination and ingenuity." 

He thanked The New Carnival Company and Play to the Crowd for their help in putting together the event, as well as South Wonston Youth Theatre. 

Third prize of chocolate went to twins Avelea and Rosie Smith, nine, for their turtle doves. 

Second prize went to the Webster family for their Angel of the Sea boat lantern. 

First prize went to the Bailey family for their man sheltering a dachshund dog lantern. 

Click the top image to see pictures from the night.