Families were on the crest of a wave at the weekend as they enjoyed the annual Sma’ Shot Day and Weave Festival celebrations.

The event attracted more than 12,000 people to Paisley town centre for a range of cultural performances.

and events including one of the world’s oldest workers’ festivals

The theme for this year’s Sma’ Shot Day focused on the weavers’ annual holiday, where they would traditionally go on a trip 'doon the watter' to the coast – and it proved to be particularly apt as the sun shone on Paisley, giving a real holiday atmosphere.

Paisley’s radical history began as a result of a dispute between local shawl weavers and manufacturers in the 19th century.

The sma’ shot was a fine weft yarn in the Paisley shawls that weavers were not paid for. An agreement was finally reached to pay for the sma’ shot in 1856.

More than 450 costumed performers, artists, community groups and families took part in the Sma’ Shot parade, led by the Charleston Drum – the traditional way of calling out the weavers for the annual festival.

This year's parade, programmed by Bridgeman Arts, had the added spectacle of an 18-metre steam boat float.

Renfrewshire Provost Lorraine Cameron said: “The Sma’ Shot Day parade is a firm favourite in the calendar each year and it was great to see so many local community groups take part and entertain the crowds.

“Seeing this popular day grow to now incorporate the Weave Festival gives even more opportunity to bring cultural activities to the area. Events like this help attract visitors to the town, which is not only good for local businesses but allows us to continue to share Paisley’s unique story.”

As part of the day’s events a Youth Poetry Slam took place at the Dooslan Stane stage where a number of young people shared their experiences through spoken word performances – carrying on the town’s rich heritage of activism.

Osama Nadeem, from Renfrewshire Youth Voice, said: “Being part of the parade helps to showcase young people’s involvement in the community and also highlight the many youth groups out there in the area.”

The fun-packed afternoon featured around 30 shows in Paisley’s historic town centre.

To find out more about other events taking place in Paisley and Renfrewshire please visit www.paisley.is.