A TRACTOR that was turned into a dinosaur, a pedal-powered wire Lamborghini and a padded chintz Mini formed part of a weird and wonderful cavalcade in Manchester centre.

Shoppers watched open-mouthed as the first Art Car Parade took place in Manchester.

The arty motorists began arriving at Cathedral Gardens where they parked their unusual artistic vehicles so the public could take a closer look.

Then the procession began winding its way through the city centre to Albert Square.

Among the cars was PicCARso, a Citroen 2CV with irregular shaped brightly coloured doors, in homage to the artist; a truck covered in mosaic tiles complete with the death mask of a death-row prisoner; a Ford `OrKa' painted black and white with fins and a car made completely from wood.

A number of other vehicles, including `Tone Float,' a milk float with a contraption on board which played a series of bottles, also took place.

The parade was organised by Walk the Plank - an arts organisation specialising in outdoor performances.

It was the idea of Liz Pugh and John Wassell who saw car parades in America and thought it would be great to bring the concept over to this country.

It is hoped the successful Manchester event will become an annual event not just here, but in other cities across Britain and Europe.

Next month the Car Parade will go to Blackpool when the cars will not only be decorated, but illuminated too.

For more information log on to www.artcarparade.co.uk