The country’s largest May Day bank holiday celebration is preparing to sweep into Rochester once again.

Now in its 28th year, the Sweeps Festival recreates the revels of chimney sweeps at their traditional holiday.

It was the one occasion in the year when they could escape the dirt and soot and inject some colour and fun into their lives.

This year’s event takes place from Saturday to Bank Holiday Monday.

The festival begins with the

traditional Jack-in-the-Green awakening ceremony at Blue Bell Hill at dawn on Thursday.

The sweeps used to wake this 7ft character to join them in their revelry.

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Throughout the weekend children can enjoy the traditional Victorian fun fair in the castle grounds where real ale and stalls will be providing refreshments for adults.

The Corn Exchange will have its traditional musical instrument fair, Morris sides will fill the High Street and dancers and musicians will perform at a variety of locations in Rochester.

The long weekend of fun reaches its finale with a procession beginning at Rochester Castle Gardens at 2.45pm on Bank Holiday Monday.