It might have rained on her parade - but not even the terrible weather could dampen spirits during Susanna Pressel's Lord Mayor's march.

Belly dancers, unicyclists, stiltwalkers in Victorian costumes and people dressed as orang-utans were just some of the colourful characters who journeyed from Radcliffe Square on the parade.

The procession, which was on foot for the first time in its history, then moved along Broad Street, Cornmarket Street, St Aldate's and Abingdon Road.

And although the parade, which is traditionally held to welcome in the newly-elected Lord Mayor, could have done with a little sunshine on its side, there were still plenty of people braving the elements to watch the occasion.

Fujia Chen, a 23-year-old student, said: "I came out today especially to watch the parade.

"I've seen a lot in London and so wanted to see what the Oxford one would be like.

"I was surprised not to see more people joining in, but maybe the bad weather kept people away."

Her friend Chang Liu, also 23, said: "It looked like there were a lot of different characters and performers involved, which made it colourful."

Although the rain had stayed away for the start of the parade, by the time it reached Cornmarket Street and Carfax the heavens had opened once again, forcing shoppers to peer out from under their umbrellas to catch a glimpse of the passing performers.

Tony Langtry and one-year-old son Herbie, from East Oxford, were two of the people watching.

Mr Langtry said: "I didn't realise the parade was on, but it was impossible to miss it here. It entertained Herbie and the music from the band was fantastic."

Lorna Hall and Ann Peck, from Wantage, had come into Oxford for a day's shopping and sheltered under a shop doorway to watch the parade pass by.

Mrs Peck said: "It was quite different, I wondered where all the floats were.

"The bad weather obviously prevented a lot of people coming out for it."

Kevan Crossin, a member of Botley-based Armaleggon, a group of border Morris dancers, was determined not to let the rain spoil the day.

He said: "We have danced in worse than this - and it was nice to see people come out to watch and show their support for the city."

Belly dancer Janet Pratley, of the Hazzazz Dancers group - which was raising money for a new Maggie's cancer centre being built at the Churchill Hospital - said: "It was far colder and windier than we were ever imagining it would be, but we were here for a good cause and enjoyed it all regardless."