Scores of people dressed as Dickensian characters paraded through the centre of a Kent town as part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Drawing on Rochester's historic connections with the Victorian author, more than 200 enthusiasts took part in the parade to pay homage to his work.

Crowds watched as men, women and children filed through the High Street to Rochester Castle, where live music, a picnic and Dickens-themed activities awaited.

It was the perfect way to mark the Queen's 70 years of service for local Jane Matthews.

"At the drop of a hat, we dress up," she told the Press Association.

"This was the obvious way for us to celebrate the Jubilee."

The parade – which takes place at festivals every June and December – this afternoon was one of two planned for this weekend, with the next one set to take place at 1pm tomorrow.

They form part of a two-day literary festival honouring the books of Charles Dickens.

However, today's turnout was said to have been affected by the poor weather.

Regular attendee Sue Smyth said: “Every summer and winter we do the Dickens and this is just how it’s fallen but the atmosphere is lovely. Everyone’s happy.

“It’s just a celebration, and because it’s the Jubilee we’ve had a double celebration.”

Dickens moved to Medway as a child, after his father, John, started work at Chatham Dockyard in 1817.

A number of buildings in the centre of Rochester carry plaques explaining how the author drew inspiration from them when writing his novels.