Ref. 31084-16POURING rain didn't dampen the spirits of revellers at the Purton carnival this weekend.

Villagers scorned the miserable weather and turned out in force to help bring the country's colourful past back to life.

Britain through the Ages was the theme of this year's celebrations and a fortnight of fun activities culminated in a grand parade on Saturday.

A procession of floats set off from Restrop View and wound their way through the village to Vastern Hill.

The Purton Under Fives Community Playgroup went back to pre-historic times on their float.

Children and staff dressed up as cave girls and boys with a couple of dinosaurs thrown in for good measure.

Supervisor Fiona Griffiths said: "We decided to go back to the very start of life in Britain.

"The children all helped decorate the float too."

Despite England's crash out of Euro 2004, football fans had music blasting and were in a good mood.

Their float harked back to the country's last football victory in 1966.

Tracey Anderson, 44, of Pavenhill, who helped organise the float, said: "We are a group of friends and neighbours who got together and decided to take part.

"We decided the theme long before Euro 2004. Of course it would have been brilliant if England had won."

The Purton Extreme Sports Team (PEST) donned bovine outfits for the event to illustrate how Britain is a green and pleasant land.

PEST member, Julie Clifford, 33, said: "We are all mad. We've all got mad cow disease that's why we are here in the rain!

Every year the carnival raises cash for the Purton Helping Hand group, which helps the needy.

Last year £2,250 was raised.

Carnival committee chairwoman Lynda Warren said: "Considering the weather we were very pleased with the amount of people who turned out to support us. They stayed out until the evening when we had dancing, a bar and a barbecue.

"I don't think I've ever been so wet and cold in my life but it was a very good day."

Bhavani Vadde