World Transplant Games get underway with celebration parade in Newcastle

Competitors from across the globe - who have benefited from organ donation - have paraded through the streets of Newcastle ahead of the opening ceremony of the World Transplant Games on Saturday night.

More than 2,000 athletes are expected to compete in the games over the next week.

It is 24 years since the UK last hosted the games.

Overnight on Saturday, a number of landmarks across Sunderland were lit up in support of the games.

Penshaw Monument was one of the landmarks emboldened in the colours of the World Transplant Games.

While NewcastleGateshead is the main centre for competitions, Sunderland is hosting three of the 16 sports - swimming at Sunderland Aquatic Centre, cycling at Hetton Lyons Country Park and ten pin bowling at Hollywood Bowling Washington.