A gigantic parade of giant queens will be returning to Ellesmere Port Carnival 2015 for the town’s annual extravaganza on Sunday (May 31), following the success of last year’s event.

This year’s carnival is set to be bigger and better than ever, featuring the premier launch of Our Queen, a collection of 12 feet high giant Queen Elizabeth II figures.

The majestic collection celebrates the fact that Queen Elizabeth II will overtake Queen Victoria as the longest reigning monarch in British history on September 9 this year.

Matthew O'Brien, designer fitting Giant Queen in pink pleated peplum jacket for The Giants Parade in Ellesmere Port
Matthew O'Brien, designer fitting Giant Queen in pink pleated peplum jacket for The Giants Parade in Ellesmere Port

Dressed in a cocktail of exclusively designed garments reflecting the cultural diversity of the British Commonwealth countries, 30 giant queens will parade through Ellesmere Port town centre in a joyous carnival of celebration, with entertainment led by the City of Chester Brass Band, One Latin Culture, Batala Mersey and circus style family fun in the Civic Square.

The colourful pageant starts at 11am from Wellington Road car park and makes its way through Ellesmere Port town centre to the Civic Square.

The Giant Manufacturing Company Ltd, which engineers and builds the massive show pieces, is based at the University of Chester’s Thornton Science Park.

North Wales sculptor Nick Elphick working on his Queen's head sculpture for the Giant Parade in Ellesmere Port

The spectacular giant queens’ heads are designed by artist Nick Elphick, a North-Wales based sculptor, who has worked with household names such as Jean-Paul Gaultier, Damian Hirst and Ryan Gander.

Bringing the world of high fashion to the carnival is designer-in-residence Matthew O’Brien. Chester’s very own award-winning designer started his own clothing label aged just 15 and has created a collection of stunning individually designed garments for the queens.

Matthew’s innovative designs have made him a pioneer for a unique direction in fashion. Alongside his seasonal London Fashion Week collections, he has applied his individual design aesthetic to giant fashion.

Matthew O'Brien award winning fashion designer creating clothes for The Giants Parade in Ellesmere Port
Matthew O'Brien award winning fashion designer creating clothes for The Giants Parade in Ellesmere Port

The fashion designer said: “Designing giant fashion has been a huge challenge. Designing on such a grand scale is a whole new direction for me. I’m probably the only designer to bring the catwalk to the streets on this scale and Ellesmere Port is a great place to launch giant fashion!”

There is a Spot the Queen free £1,000 prize draw where you can collect all the queen stamps from participating retailers and enter the prize draw.

Look out for participating businesses that are hosting one of the giant Queen Elizabeth II pedestal heads or a poster about the giant event in a local store in the run up to the Ellesmere Port Carnival.

Each giant queen’s head is painted by renowned British artists, and also includes a strong Commonwealth theme.

One of the new Queen Elizabeth II lookalike giants

John Iles, chairman of The Giant Manufacturing Company Ltd, said: “We are delighted to be showcasing the giant Queen Elizabeth II figures at the Ellesmere Port Carnival and are immensely grateful to everyone who helped to produce this spectacular event in particular Essar Oil UK, The Port Arcades, Plus Dane Group and the Cheshire West and Chester Council, Our Place partnership.

“Cheshire Young Carers are also helping in the carnival and will be fundraising on the day for their charity.

“The launch of the giant Our Queen couture collection designed by Matt O’Brien is a celebratory look back at fashion history that also reflects the diversity of the commonwealth that the Queen serves.”

Full details about the event can be found at www.thegiants.org.uk .