One of the biggest events in the city's calendar made a spectacular sub-drenched return for the first time in two years on Saturday.

The crowds came out in their thousands to watch the story of Alban, Britain’s first saint, being re-enacted by 12ft puppets, as part of the Alban Pilgrimage.

Canon Kevin Walton said: “The Alban Pilgrimage has become such a key community event, so it was a joy to be able to celebrate it once again at the heart of the city centre with all its drama and colour.

"In this Refugee Week, we also celebrate St Alban’s welcome to a stranger sheltering from persecution, a story as relevant today as it was back then and which gives us every reason to celebrate our city’s patron and Britain’s first saint."

After the procession hundreds of people attended the Festival Eucharist with guest preacher Dr Paula Gooder, Chancellor of St Paul’s Cathedral.

A Festival Solemn Evensong followed with Reverend Dr Inderjit Bhogal OBE, preaching on the City of Sanctuary movement. Pilgrims then processed to the Shrine of St Alban to lay red roses in a mark of devotion.

Herts Advertiser: The 2022 Alban Pilgrimage.The 2022 Alban Pilgrimage. (Image: Craig Shepheard)

Herts Advertiser: The 2022 Alban Pilgrimage.The 2022 Alban Pilgrimage. (Image: Craig Shepheard)

Herts Advertiser: The 2022 Alban Pilgrimage.The 2022 Alban Pilgrimage. (Image: Craig Shepheard)

Herts Advertiser: The 2022 Alban Pilgrimage.The 2022 Alban Pilgrimage. (Image: Craig Shepheard)

Herts Advertiser: The 2022 Alban Pilgrimage.The 2022 Alban Pilgrimage. (Image: Craig Shepheard)

Herts Advertiser: The 2022 Alban Pilgrimage.The 2022 Alban Pilgrimage. (Image: Craig Shepheard)

Herts Advertiser: The 2022 Alban Pilgrimage.The 2022 Alban Pilgrimage. (Image: Craig Shepheard)

Herts Advertiser: The 2022 Alban Pilgrimage.The 2022 Alban Pilgrimage. (Image: Craig Shepheard)

Herts Advertiser: The 2022 Alban Pilgrimage.The 2022 Alban Pilgrimage. (Image: Craig Shepheard)

Herts Advertiser: The 2022 Alban Pilgrimage.The 2022 Alban Pilgrimage. (Image: Craig Shepheard)

Herts Advertiser: The 2022 Alban Pilgrimage.The 2022 Alban Pilgrimage. (Image: Craig Shepheard)

Herts Advertiser: The 2022 Alban Pilgrimage.The 2022 Alban Pilgrimage. (Image: Craig Shepheard)

Herts Advertiser: The 2022 Alban Pilgrimage.The 2022 Alban Pilgrimage. (Image: Craig Shepheard)

Herts Advertiser: The 2022 Alban Pilgrimage.The 2022 Alban Pilgrimage. (Image: Craig Shepheard)

Herts Advertiser: The 2022 Alban Pilgrimage.The 2022 Alban Pilgrimage. (Image: Craig Shepheard)

Herts Advertiser: The 2022 Alban Pilgrimage.The 2022 Alban Pilgrimage. (Image: Craig Shepheard)

Herts Advertiser: The 2022 Alban Pilgrimage.The 2022 Alban Pilgrimage. (Image: St Albans Cathedral)

Herts Advertiser: The 2022 Alban Pilgrimage.The 2022 Alban Pilgrimage. (Image: St Albans Cathedral)

Herts Advertiser: The 2022 Alban Pilgrimage.The 2022 Alban Pilgrimage. (Image: St Albans Cathedral)

Herts Advertiser: The 2022 Alban Pilgrimage.The 2022 Alban Pilgrimage. (Image: Craig Shepheard)

Herts Advertiser: The 2022 Alban Pilgrimage.The 2022 Alban Pilgrimage. (Image: Craig Shepheard)

Herts Advertiser: The 2022 Alban Pilgrimage.The 2022 Alban Pilgrimage. (Image: Craig Shepheard)