Leeds Otley Run: Princesses, Inbetweeners & a Bob the Builder Brave the Bank Holiday Rain

Despite Storm Lillian's wet onslaught across the UK, revellers in Leeds embraced the bank holiday weekend with gusto, taking part in the city's infamous Otley Run pub crawl. This legendary bar-hopping tour, a rite of passage for Leeds University students and a popular night out for locals, saw a vibrant array of fancy dress costumes, from Super Mario characters to Princesses and even a lone Bob the Builder.

The Otley Run, a 1.5-mile journey stretching from Headingley to the city centre, began in 1964 as a gathering for farmers who, thanks to new licensing laws, could enjoy longer pub opening hours. Since then, it has evolved into a vibrant student tradition, with the long bank holiday weekend offering the perfect opportunity for a boozy celebration.

Photos from the night show a plethora of colourful costumes. Two friends dressed as Princess Peach and Princess Daisy from Super Mario led the way, closely followed by a trio seemingly inspired by the Inbetweeners, clad in uniforms reminiscent of the popular sitcom. Another Princess Peach, waving happily, was accompanied by a companion sporting a cowgirl outfit complete with a stetson and bandana.

Super Mario seemed to be a recurring theme, with a group of young people donning various characters from the game series, including Bowser, Toad and Luigi. Nearby, a comical whoopie cushion costume drew attention, while a man dressed as Bob the Builder stood out amongst the festivities.

While the majority seemed to be enjoying themselves, a few revellers appeared less than enthusiastic, with one individual seen lying on the pavement, seemingly needing some assistance from a friend dressed as a patient. Four ladies in princess-inspired outfits provided a glamorous contrast, striking a pose for the camera as they navigated the lively pub crawl.

Meanwhile, the bank holiday weekend proved far less jovial for those attending the Reading and Leeds Festivals. Storm Lillian, bringing heavy rain and strong winds, dampened the spirits of festival-goers.

The Met Office issued a weather warning for the south-east of England, forecasting between 50mm and 70mm of rainfall. Images from Reading depict festival-goers huddled under hoodies and blankets, attempting to shield themselves from the relentless downpour.

Leeds Festival, while not as drenched, still experienced the impact of Storm Lillian on Friday, with videos showing tents being blown away by strong winds. Three stages - BBC Radio 1, Aux and Chevron - were closed due to the extreme weather conditions.

Disgruntled festival-goers took to social media to express their disappointment and demand refunds, citing the disruption to travel and the cancellation of numerous acts. One frustrated attendee complained about the half-day event and the limited access to stages, calling it "not cool and not safe". Another questioned whether refunds would be provided for the "massively disrupted travel" and the cancellation of "half the acts."

As the bank holiday weekend draws to a close, both the Otley Run and the festivals leave behind memories of laughter, frustration and, for many, a healthy dose of bank holiday blues.