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Tens of thousands attend Scarva parade and Sham Fight

Tens of thousands of people have turned out for the annual Royal Black parade and Sham Fight in Scarva - one of the organisation's biggest events to date.

More than 90 Royal Black Institution preceptories and marching bands took part in the traditional procession through the County Down village.

One of the highlights of the day is the traditional Sham Fight between period actors dressed as King William III and King James II at the Scarva Demesne.

Two actors dressed as King William III and James II. William is dressed in red and white and James in green and white. Both are wearing long black wigs and are crossing swords.
The event features a Sham Fight between actors dressed as King William III and King James
A large group of spectators standing on grass in front of a large house
The event attracts thousands of spectators to the County Down village every year
A group of men dressed as 17th century soldiers re-enact a the Battle of the Boyne. Some dressed in wither red and white or green and white uniforms are armed with swords, while some dressed in grey are armed with muskets.
The action is dramatic, but everyone emerged unscathed from the battle
Members of the Royal Black Institution dressed in black suits and sashes hold aloft a banner while bands come behind them. Thousands of spectators can be seen
As well as the sham fight, more than 90 Royal Black Institution preceptories and marching bands took part in the traditional procession through the County Down village
The actor playing King James is on his knees as he is defeated by King William in the battle re-enactment
The outcome of the battle is never in doubt, with King William the inevitable winner each year