The new date for the 10th anniversary Shepton Mallet Lantern Parade has been announced.

The Shepton Mallet Lantern Festival Parade will now take place on the new date of Saturday February 1.

Kate Lovell, chair of the festival, said: "We are delighted that the parade will go ahead on this new date, which is also Candlemas, the traditional end of Christmas celebrations.

"We had to postpone it on December 21 because of the atrocious weather but the wonderful news is that the parade will still be led by Jamma de Samba band."

Because of the lengthening day lantern bearers will assemble at 6pm in Collett Park, for a 6.30pm start.

The 10th anniversary of the Lantern Parade will be led by the Great Shepton Ram lantern, accompanied by more than 100 lantern bearers.

The fantastical creations will include angels, stars, a whale, a snowman, a polar bear, a jellyfish, a kingfisher and an Emperor penguin.

Barbara Pearce, who made the Emperor penguin, said: "It is my very first lantern.

"I couldn't have done it without the help of Dominic Weston from the Lantern Festival and I am very grateful to him."

The darkness of the park becomes a magical twinkling place and many people feel this is the very best place to enjoy the spectacle.

You don't have to have a lantern – you can join the parade with a torch or a string of LED lights - and if you just want to watch there is a special area reserved for spectators.

The parade processes around the park, taking in the boats of the Shepton Mallet Drifters Club on the pond, and then along Park Road to the Market Place led by Jamma de Samba band. There will be food and drink available.

The festival is entirely staffed by volunteers and receives sponsorship from Charlie Bigham's, BSR Group, the Glastonbury Festival and Shepton Mallet Town Council.

The festival would also like to thank Paul Street Community Centre, Right Price DIY, Dredge and Male, Coxley Developments and Riverford Organic Farmers for their support.