A LANTERN parade which has filled the streets of Haverfordwest with lights and visitors in the last few years will not be held this year.

The River of Lights will be taking a break in 2018, so organisers can “recoup and reflect on the phenomenal growth and popularity” of the event.

Last year, the parade saw more than 3,000 people taking part, with massive skeletal puppets and a lantern dog leading the way through the streets of the town.

See pictures from 2017's River of Lights parade here.

The organisers hope taking a year out will provide the space needed to make the 2019 parade even bigger, better and brighter.

In place of the parade an evening of films, arts and activities will take place at IGNITE on October 31, from 5pm to 9pm at HaverHub.

For IGNITE, Span Arts and spacetocreate have organised an evening of inspirational film-screenings, light-painting and other gifts of light from local artists and organisations. A bar and hot food will also be available.

Kathryn Lambert, Director of Span Arts said: “We know many will miss the hugely popular Lantern Parade this year but we hope people will come to IGNITE instead, have an enjoyable time and take the opportunity to influence how the Lantern Parade can continue into 2019 and beyond.”

IGNITE will be an opportunity for everyone who cares about the Haverfordwest Lantern Parade to come and have their say and get involved in shaping the future of this event in 2019.

It also forms part of Span Arts new digital project Span Digidol and organisers are keen to explore how digital technology could be part of the 2019 parade.

For more information visit span-arts.org.uk or call Span Arts on 01834 869323 and ask to speak with the Digidol team.