VILLAGERS are preparing to light up a river with colour to continue a 110-year-old tradition.
The annual Matlock Bath Illuminations, which date back to Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1897, start tonight and will be held every Saturday and Sunday until Saturday, October 25.
As part of this evening's launch party, nine boats will be assessed by a panel of judges and a winner will be selected.
Members of the Matlock Bath Venetian Boats Association will proudly show off their intricately-designed masterpieces, covered in various coloured light bulbs, on the River Derwent.
Fourteen-year-old Isabel Flavell, of Matlock Bath, has built her second boat after taking third prize last year. Her 2014 entry is called Alice's Misadventure, based on Lewis Carroll's classic tale.
"It is a twist on the story," she said. "We have involved both versions of the movie so it is a bit different."
Isabel began work in February and her creation includes a Queen of Hearts design, where the lights pulsate for extra effect.
Isabel, who attends Highfield School in Matlock, followed in the footsteps of her mum, Angela, when she was accepted into the boat club this year.
Sheila Harrison, 66, of Ashbourne, designs and makes costumes for dolls that are used as part of the boats' decorations. Her son, David, enters a boat every year.
She said: "This year I have dressed the characters that sit in the car in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Altogether it took me about four or five hours to make them."
The boats parade begins at 7.45pm tonight.
