SINGING and dancing members of the Hare Krishna movement have staged their first procession through York city centre - pulling along a big chariot.

Tourists and shoppers were treated to a colourful and noisy parade, which began and finished in Parliament Street and took in streets including Coney Street, Stonegate and Low Petergate.

The Lord Mayor of York, Cllr Barbara Boyce, began the procession in line with tradition by breaking a coconut.

About 100 devotees of the movement, which follows ancient teachings of devotional yoga with roots in the Vedic culture of India, came to York from all over the country, including leader Janananda Goswami.

An American member, Krishna Kripa, said he really liked coming to York. “There’s a really nice group of people here,” he said, adding that they met once a month at the Quaker Meeting House.

A spokesman said the Hare Krishna philosophy was attractive to many people, adding: “In a world that’s becoming increasingly competitive, and has people believing they’ll only be happy through material gain, we’re showing a deeply positive alternative.”

One of the procession organisers, Ganesh Thapa, said it had been very successful, despite delays in transporting the chariot to York, and he hoped it would become an annual event. “It’s been amazing,” he said.