THOUSANDS of spectators lined the streets to watch one of the biggest carnival processions Trowbridge has ever seen on Saturday.

There were 70 entrants altogether, with about 15 big floats carrying adults and children in bright, flamboyant costumes.

Nearly 10,000 people are thought to have turned out to watch the procession, which took two hours to travel around the whole town.

Organiser, Steve Nash, said: "We are really pleased, we are putting in more and more effort every year and it is great when that pays off.

"I think it is a knock-on effect, they had a great carnival in Melksham and in Devizes, all the carnival committees in the area are putting in a great effort."

The procession was led by police cars and fire engines, followed by the carnival royalty, Lucy Lewis, 24, as carnival queen, and Amie Holvey, 11, as carnival princess, along with butterfly queen and princess, Bianca Sinclair, 11, and Sophia Medway, eight.

Between the large floats were street entertainers including unicyclists, jugglers, fire-eaters and majorettes, with the Romsey Old Boys band providing the music.

Many young people took part, with a team from the Seymour Estate putting on a great show as the Seymour Barbie Girls and others choosing themes ranging from dreams to dragons.

The children in the Jungle Belles team travelled to the town from Melksham to take part in their first carnival season.

Jungle Belle Cara Peerman said: "We didn't win but we loved it. We'll be entering again next year and it will be even bigger and better."

The overall winner of the best float was the Hot Rock carnival club with their Tribal Africa float, with the president's trophy going to the Airsprung carnival club for Deep in the Forest.

Last year's carnival raised £2,000 for charity and organisers are hoping that the total this year will be even higher.