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In pictures: Ulster Pipe Band Championships

News imagePacemaker Press A young woman is holding a baton in a vertical position with one hand, which is at eye level. She has a cap on with a medal attached. He's wearing a navy jacket with lapels on her shoulders and a blue shirt and checked tie. Pacemaker Press
The 73rd Ulster Pipe Band Championships took place in Bangor on Saturday

Thousands of music lovers have visited Bangor for one of the main events in Northern Ireland's piping calendar.

The 73rd Ulster Pipe Band Championships at Ward Park, started at 11:00 BST, with 60 performances from bands as well as more than 50 drum majors.

It finished with a parade of pipe bands at 18:00 BST.

The pipe band contest is running alongside a fringe event for the All-Ireland Fleadh, which takes place in Belfast for a week from Sunday to 9 August.

News imagePacemaker Press A group of drummers are standing in a circle. They're standing on grass. People are in the background. Pacemaker Press
The event in Bangor lasted for 12-hours and was free to attend
News imagePacemaker Press A young woman is playing drums. She's wearing a red checked kilt and a navy waistcoat. A ,am wearing a cap is next to her. Pacemaker Press
The finale featured bands playing The Battle's O'er
News imagePacemaker Press A man and woman are in the foreground. They're looking at each other and their backs are to the camera. They're holding drumsticks and drums. In front of them are drummers playing their instruments. Spectators are watching. Pacemaker Press
It's organised by the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association's Northern Ireland branch and supported by Ards and North Down Council as part of its Bangor Vibes programme
News imagePacemaker Press A group are holding pipes and drums and walking across grass. Spectators are watching. The sky is cloudy. Marquees are up. Pacemaker Press
It ended with a parade of the pipe bands along Gransha Road and Castle Street
News imagePacemaker A close up of a black leather pouch with silver trimmings that is attached to a kilt. Grass is behind the person. Pacemaker
Ards and North Down mayor Craig Blaney, says Bangor Vibes showcases "everything which makes our city special"
News imagePacemaker Press A young man is holding a baton. He has earpods in. He's wearing a black waistcoat with a checked tie and a white shirt. Pacemaker Press
Bands and drum majors competed for the Ulster Champion title
News imagePacemaker Press A dog is sitting next to a woman who is lying on grass. She has her hand on the dog. People are standing around them. Pacemaker Press
The organisers say that well-behaved dogs are welcome to championships but must be on leads and be able to cope with large crowds and noise