STUART Rushton and Co estate agents have stepped forward to sponsor the Knutsford Royal May Day pirate ship for the 2017 procession on May 6.

The estate agents’ has provided £500 to allow the ship to take part.

Eileen Podmore, secretary of the Royal May Day, said: “We are very grateful to Stuart for his support of our 153rd festival, which gives lots of pleasure to both children and adults alike and reunites families who have taken part themselves many years ago.”

The Traders, Invaders and Raiders reenactment group Viking boat will transform into a pirate ship for the procession, lined with cannons made by David Bryant and David Atkinson of the Cheshire Guild of Woodturners

Cheshire Guild of Woodturners meets at Plumley Village Hall, third Thursday each month at 7.30pm. For full details of meetings and programme visit www.cgw.org.uk.