15711/11THERE was a real party atmosphere in Melksham at the weekend as the town celebrated its annual carnival.

The floats set off from the Cooper-Avon car park and followed a new, shorter route around the town, cheered on by the crowds at the roadside.

Mayor Terri Welch said: "We were really pleased with the route, I think that worked really well because it kept the procession together and it reduced the route, which is what we needed to do to stop gaps appearing."

The colourful floats included Noddy in Toyland, Teddy Bear's Picnic and Melksham Comedy Club's Peter Pan-themed Jolly Roger, giving spectators a preview of January's pantomime.

Tricia's Fantasy Plaice came up with a float filled with people dressed up as a fantasy character they would like to be.

The prize for the best trade float went to A Summer Garden, by Somerfield.

Ginny Sawyer, who spent three months working on the float, said: "Everyone enjoys doing it, and that's the main thing.

"It is hard work but it's fun and that makes it all worthwhile."

Teddy Bear's picnic, Melksham Carnival Committee's float, came away with first prize in the youth section.

First prize in the second class went to the Wild Things, with their Hen party-themed float, with the Bromham group dressed in chicken costumes.

One of the hens, Sue Napier, said: "We are very pleased to win, it's great. We normally enter and it's really good fun."

The Overall winner's trophy went to The Story of Cinderella float, the third entry in the carnival for Melksham grandmother Margaret Rogers, who began entering to cheer up her granddaughter, Lauren, who survived meningitis two-and-a-half years ago, when she was just six months old.

Providing music and dancing along the way were three majorettes groups, the Sapphire Majorettes, the Metallica Twirlers and the Frome Fascination Twirlers, with the Devizes Majorwrecks adding their own unique brand of entertainment to the mix.

A steady beat for those walking in the procession, including members of Cooper-Avon Tyres RFC, was provided by the Royal British Legion Corps of Drums.

The Butterfly Queen, 11-year-old Lucia Galley, and her princesses, Shannon Phelan, eight, and five-year-old Peaches Dancey wowed the crowds on the Friends of Melksham Hospital float.

Winners in the children's fancy dress competition, judged just before the procession started, were Natia Rossi and friends, Eleanor Galloway and Sarah Evans.

Money collected at the event will be donated to local charities.