Whitby Goth Weekend returns to coastal town – pictures

The Whitby Goth Weekend took place from Thursday (April 24) to Sunday.

It saw hundreds of goths flock to the seaside town for the bi-annual festival.

The Whitby Goth Weekend brought hundreds of people to the town. Image by Sue Smith (Image: Sue Smith) Press Camera Club members Garry Hornby and Sue Smith were there to capture the action.

Festival attendees walked the town’s cobbled lanes and seafront promenade, which featured in Bram Stoker's gothic masterpiece Dracula.

• See photographs from last year's event: PICTURES: Goths descend on North Yorkshire town as popular event returns

They sampled live music and visited an alternative market with more than 100 different stalls.

Goths were also seen relaxing in their signature getups in the town’s cafes and pubs, where Stoker sourced ideas for his vampire book.

Cyber Goths at the Whitby Goth Weekend by Garry Hornby (Image: Garry Hornby) Stoker visited the harbour town in 1890 - and viewed the ruined monasteries and graveyards as the perfect setting to feature his blood-sucking vampire.

The event was first hosted by Jo Hampshire, when she invited 40 of her pen pals to The Elsinore Inn, close to the centre of the idyllic town.

Now, it attracts guests from all over as a celebration of gothic culture.

The weekender was founded in 1994 and is now one of the most famous gothic events in the world. Its next instalment is in November.