LIVE: Manchester celebrates St Patrick's Day with huge parade - latest updates

Manchester is to mark St Patrick's Day with a huge parade. Thousands are expected to turn out to celebrate the national holiday commemorating Ireland's patron saint.

As has become tradition, Manchester will host its own celebration. This year being the 35th anniversary since its inaugural running, it is returning to the city centre for the first time in four years.

The parade will have over 30 floats and walking groups displaying colourful Irish dancers and marching bands.

Beginning at the Irish World Heritage Centre in Cheetham Hill at midday, the two and a half mile procession, will make its way down Cheetham Hill Road and into town.

It will then head onto Deansgate before crossing the finishing point at the junction of King Street, where a finish line podium will welcome the parade as it comes to an end.

The finishing podium will be hosted by Manchester United stadium announcer Alan Keegan, and he will be joined by many dignitaries on the day.

This year's parade is the headline event and forms part of the Manchester Irish Festival, which began on March 7 and runs until St Patrick's Day itself, Monday, March 17.

We will be bringing you updates from the festivities in the live blog below