THE world's only Leper Festival was celebrated in Taddiport at the weekend.

Villagers donned rags and bandages for the ninth annual festival through the streets of the former leper colony on Saturday .

The procession was led by Torrington town crier, Al Mitchell, and some 40 people dressed up as lepers and joined in the parade, which raises funds for the Lepra Charity.

The torchlit parade started with a historic racket of clappers, bells and drums before the paraders went over Taddiport bridge to the chapel of St Mary Magdalene which was used as a leper hospital during the 14th century.

The annual event is organised by Torrington artist Shan Miller, who also set up a Leper Museum in the village.

This year saw a crowd of around 150 people and raised almost £200.

She said: "The highlight of this year was that more people dressed up than usual and we had some street theatre for the first time.

"This year was the ninth annual parade and we're planning something extra special for the 10 year anniversary."

She added her thanks to everyone who sponsored the festival.

Treatment of leprosy is easy, but it is still prevalent in some of the worlds most poorest countries. Those yet to eliminate the disease include areas of Angola, Brazil, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, India, Madagascar, Mozambique, Nepal, and the United Republic of Tanzania.

Historically leprosy sufferers were ostracised from their communities.