Bridport joined its twin town in Normandy to mark a very special occasion.

Bridport members of the Bridport - St Vaast La Hougue Twinning Association visited the twin town on Sunday, July 17 to take part in the 'Bénédiction de la Mer' celebration. This event, held every 10 years, commemorates the fishermen of St Vaast from the last three generations who have lost their lives at sea.

The town's streets, shops and boats are adorned overnight with flowers, garlands and other creative displays, all hand made by local people out of coloured crepe paper. Volunteers start putting up the decorations at 3am so that everyone wakes up on Sunday to a beautiful spectacle on their doorstep. Celebrations start at 9am with a procession through the town's streets to the harbour.

This year, Bridport mayor Ian Bark, town clerk Will Austin and town crier John Collingwood join the cortege in full regalia and attended the open air mass.

During a moving service of readings, songs, music and prayer, led by the bishop of the region, the names of all the fishermen lost at sea over the past decades were read out.

A little later, large crowds gathered at the harbourside and on the sea walls to watch the beautifully decorated boats leave the port to be blessed by the bishop at sea, before returning to their moorings to much applause.

A final mass was held at the chapel of the sailors at the end of the day, dedicated to those fishermen whose bodies were never recovered.

A spokesman for Bridport Twinning Association said: "Despite commemorating such tragic loss, the day was a joyous occasion, with music and food stalls in different parts of the town. People thronged the streets, marvelling as the wonderful and colourful displays, many based on nautical themes. In one spot there was an octopus on a bed of oyster shells, at another a giant blue lobster.

"According to the organising committee, more than one million flowers were prepared for the occasion, a creative endeavour that began in autumn 2019. And an estimated 30,000 people visited Saint Vaast la Houge - a small town of just over 1,800 inhabitants - for the special day."

To find out more about the twinning association, visit its website, and you can find more photos of the event here. Members will also have a stand at the upcoming Melpalsh Agricultural Show.