GIANT puppets, a seven-year-old storyteller and youth-led performances brought Rotherham's landmark cultural programme to a dramatic close.

Thousands of people packed into Rotherham town centre on Friday night for a spectacular finale marking the end of the borough’s year as the world’s first Children’s Capital of Culture.

Crowds gathered for The Birthday Party, a large-scale outdoor celebration featuring giant puppetry, fire installations, live music and a magical storytelling performance created with local young people and voiced by seven-year-old Allegra.

A highlight of the night came with Dreaming Up A Story, a multisensory show created by artistic directors Walk the Plank.

Finale: The Children's Capital of Culture Finale 'The Birthday Party' featured magical projection, large scale puppetry, dazzling special effects and a bedtime story written and performed by local children working with Grimm & Co.

placeholder image — Finale: The Children's Capital of Culture Finale 'The Birthday Party' featured magical projection, large scale puppetry, dazzling special effects and a bedtime story written and performed by local children working with Grimm & Co.

A towering 30-foot puppet known as The Baby took centre stage, representing the 13 babies born into Rotherham Maternity Services each day.

The celebrations ended with a high-energy performance from rapper OneDa, who performed a brand-new Rotherham anthem penned with young people for the occasion, and Sheffield MC KDOT.

Grace Bower (21), from Rotherham, said: “Being part of Children’s Capital of Culture has shown us that our voices matter.

“It’s been amazing to see how much pride people now have in Rotherham, and how many opportunities young people have had to try new things and get involved.”

Music: Local legend MC KDOT attracted a large crowd at the Children's Capital of Culture Finale's Main Stage.

Over the past year, Children’s Capital of Culture has seen more than 500,000 participations in activities and events across the borough.

Ninety-five per cent of Rotherham schools – 120 in total – took part in creative learning activities, while 464 artists and organisations delivered projects, including 343 from Rotherham and wider South Yorkshire.

The programme also created 138 jobs for local 16-to-25-year-olds through traineeships, while 291 young people achieved Arts Award qualifications.

In total, the initiative helped unlock almost £10 million of new investment in culture, creativity and community activity in Rotherham, including the UK’s largest community opera with Royal Ballet & Opera in November.

Puppets: Giant animal puppets roamed the streets of the town centre during the Children's Capital of Culture Party.

Cllr Lynda Marshall, Cabinet Member for Street Scene and Green Spaces at Rotherham Council, said: “Children’s Capital of Culture has shown what can happen when we place young people at the heart of our borough’s cultural life.

“It has changed perceptions of Rotherham, created opportunities for our young people and built a legacy that will continue long into the future.”

Lady Victoria Borwick, Chair of Visit England, said: “Children’s Capital of Culture has shown how investing in young people’s creativity can deliver significant economic and social impact.

“Rotherham’s approach demonstrates how nurturing the next generation of creative talent can unlock opportunity, attract visitors and lay the foundations for a brighter future in Rotherham.”