Dickensian characters mingled with the crowds as thousands enjoyed the sunny weather, food, drink and entertainment at Rochester's Dickens Festival.

The festival weekend, which got underway yesterday, features street theatre and live music, a craft fair and country market, as well as talks, displays and shows.

Today's festivities included the main parade along the High Street and later there will be a music hall finale at the Boley Hill Stage.

There is also Punch and Judy in St Mary's Meadow, guided walking tours, a fun fair, and many food and drinks stalls.

More than 60,000 people are expected for the annual summer festival.

Watch: The Dickens Festival is underway in Rochester

Tomorrow, there will be parades at noon and 4.45pm, as well as The Mayor of Medway’s procession at 2.55pm on the Sunday for a choral evensong.

Yesterday, some 800 primary and secondary school children took part in a grand parade before enjoying art workshops, guided tours and an open air production of A Dickens Dictionary, by students from London’s Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.

For a full programme, go to medway.gov.uk/dickensfestival

For pictures from the festival pick up a copy of the Medway Messenger on Monday and Thursday.