Princes Quay Shopping Centre is getting a head start with its Christmas parade which will begin the build-up to the city centre festivities this weekend.

The team from the Creative and Cultural Company, based at Princes Quay, have been working away behind the scenes to build a giant Jack Frost sculpture, which will be unveiled on Sunday as one of the main attractions of the parade.

Claire Suggitt, Centre Manager at Princes Quay, said: “They’ve been working on this for the last couple of months. There have been more than 20 people involved so far and it looks fantastic, we’re really looking forward to seeing the finished product on Sunday.”

Claire revealed that the model will stand around seven metres high and extend to 13.5 metres long. After Sunday’s parade it will take its place as part of the Princes Quay’s Christmas theme within the Centre.

She added: “It’s been a real partnership project. The Creative and Cultural Company have done a great job and we’ve also been able to borrow a truck and trailer complete with driver to take the Jack Frost sculpture on the parade, which will help us raise money for our chosen charity, Cash for Kids.”

Investment from HullBID has helped Princes Quay create the Jack Frost feature and extend the route of the parade.

Kathryn Shillito, HullBID City Centre Manager, said: “Our role is to support city centre businesses year-round and we make a special effort at this time of the year to help traders make the most of the festive season.

“The Princes Quay Santa parade is one of the biggest city centre attractions and we have invested some money to ensure it reaches more businesses and more people by covering a wider area in the city centre.

“We also worked with Princes Quay to change the day of the parade, because Saturday is a busy day anyway and the attraction of the parade will encourage more people to visit the city centre on Sunday.

“But most of all we wanted to help Princes Quay give the parade a ‘wow’ factor, and the giant-size Jack Frost will certainly do that.”

The parade will begin from outside Hull New Theatre at 11am on Sunday November 16 and will deliver Santa to Princes Quay at about 12.15pm. Community groups, schools, charities, businesses and other organisations will join the parade, which will take in some of the main shopping areas including King Edward Street, Carr Lane, Paragon Street and Jameson Street. The Parade will also feature "Anna, Elsa and Olaf".

Further details of the parade can be found at www.princes-quay.co.uk and information on other city centre Christmas attractions will appear at www.christmasinhull.co.uk

Pictured: Claire Suggitt, Centre Manager of Princes Quay, with the giant Jack Frost head.