The final parade of the year has taken place in Londonderry as Apprentice Boys took to the streets for the annual Shutting of the Gates ceremony.

But the traditional burning of the Lundy effigy was postponed due to bad weather caused by Storm Darragh.

Held on the first Saturday in December each year, the parade marks the anniversary of the Siege of Derry, which started in December 1688 when 13 apprentices locked the walled city’s gates against the approaching army of the Catholic King James II.

The siege lasted 105 days and cost more than 10,000 lives.

The parade through the city usually involves around 25 bands, however, there were concerns attendance could be affected by the storm, with travel to and from Derry affected by bad weather and transport disruption.

Some of those on parade on Saturday were sporting woolly hats and coats to protect against the elements.

On Saturday afternoon organisers decided extreme gusts of wind made it unsafe to go ahead and burn the traditional Lundy effigy.

William Walker, the newly installed Apprentice Boys governor, said the burning would go ahead between now and December 18.

Mr Walker takes over the position from Graeme Stenhouse.

Mr Walker told the BBC: “It is humbling to reflect on being just the most recent in a long line of governors that stretches back more than 200 years, and with an Apprentice Boys heritage of more than 300 years.”

Meanwhile, Mr Stenhouse predicted that the association would “continue to grow from strength to strength” under Mr Walker’s guidance.

He told the BBC: “It’s been an honour and a privilege for myself to occupy such a significant position in the organisation, and I will look back on my time fondly.”

The main parade took place at 1.15pm around the city centre and finished with a service of remembrance at St Columb’s Cathedral. The return parade began at 3.15pm and finished in the Waterside.