Thousands of families and children enjoyed Huntingdon First's Pirate Day, which featured all manner of high-seas shenanigans and swashbuckling fun.

Attendees gathered in Huntingdon Town Centre on Saturday, July 8, for the event, which helped promote the town's shops and services whilst creating lots of fun for families.

A 25ft pirate ship took over St Benedict's Court with several pirates parading around the town.

The Hunts Post: The Market Square was full of impressive pirate costumes on Saturday, July 8.The Market Square was full of impressive pirate costumes on Saturday, July 8. (Image: Newsquest)

The market square was taken over by performances from 'Pirates Live', an acrobatic troupe of performers.

The Old Time Sailor Band, straight off the back of their set at Glastonbury, also performed and had the town dancing and jigging on the market square to old-time sea shanties.

The Hunts Post: 'Pirates Live' performed lots of backflips and acrobatics to wow the crowds.'Pirates Live' performed lots of backflips and acrobatics to wow the crowds. (Image: Newsquest)

The Hunts Post: The Old Time Sailor Band at Pirate Day, fresh from their performance at Glastonbury.The Old Time Sailor Band at Pirate Day, fresh from their performance at Glastonbury. (Image: David King)

The children enjoyed many activities, including competitions, face-painting, pirate balloon modelling and several pirate-themed games, meaning there was something for everyone.

Huntingdon BID town Manager Paul Sweeney said: "Pirate Day was a huge success, drawing huge crowds from not just our local community but also attracted visitors from outside the area.

"These events are incredibly important to towns like Huntingdon, promoting our shops and services, allowing our visitors to discover parts of our town that they maybe had never seen before and shops they hadn't stepped inside.

The Hunts Post: Plenty of sea shanties were belted out by The Old Time Sailor Band.Plenty of sea shanties were belted out by The Old Time Sailor Band. (Image: Newsquest)

"These events are also designed to create a cultural experience for our younger residents, placing our town centre at the heart of their memory as THE place to be."

Mayor of Huntingdon, Cllr Phil Pearce, got in on the excitement and raised more than £200 by allowing people to throw wet sponges at him in pirate jail.

The Hunts Post: Mayor of Huntingdon, Cllr Phil Pearce, trapped himself in Pirate Jail and allowed people to throw wet sponges at him for charity.Mayor of Huntingdon, Cllr Phil Pearce, trapped himself in Pirate Jail and allowed people to throw wet sponges at him for charity. (Image: Newsquest)

Cllr Pearce said: "It was wonderful to see so many families and Pirates in Town having so much fun whilst at the same time raising monies for charities, a fabulous day for all although a little soggy for myself!"

Several charities set up pirate stalls and were joined by local businesses to welcome the new faces into the town.

The Hunts Post: Families travelled far and wide for the event to enjoy all the pirate fun Huntingdon had to offer.Families travelled far and wide for the event to enjoy all the pirate fun Huntingdon had to offer. (Image: Newsquest)

Paula Carr from Cambs Lock Indoor Shopping Village on St Mary's Street said: "We were so grateful to be part of Pirate Day; it was lovely to see so many families out together enjoying what our town has to offer.

"As I think this is often forgotten."

Lianne Simpson, owner of Diamond Hampers, added: "The shop was lots busier than a normal Saturday, we took double what we would normally take."

The Hunts Post: Lots of juggling and pirate-themed fun was had.Lots of juggling and pirate-themed fun was had. (Image: Newsquest)

The Hunts Post: 'Pirates Live' impressed the crowds on the Pirate Day.'Pirates Live' impressed the crowds on the Pirate Day. (Image: Newsquest)