LOCALS and visitors were out in their droves for Watchet's carnival weekend as organisers attempted to top last year's event which coincided with the opening of the marina.

The cost of staging the host of activities again surpassed £20,000 as thousands packed into the streets and The Esplanade and East Quay for the annual extravaganza.

The carnival committee branded the weekend as "brilliant" and was overjoyed with the number of people who turned out and gave their support.

Organisers had fairground rides on the quay along with food stalls, a disco and a licensed bar run by the Carnival Club with all profits put towards the cost of the weekend.

Revellers were treated to three evenings of live bands on the East Quay such as four-piece folk rock band Rusty Razor and 11-piece authentic 60s soul band The Orphans, complete with a brass section.

And it was time to dig out those Afro wigs and flairs when the 70s tribute band Man from Funkle hit the stage.

The carnival fete on the Memorial Ground proved popular as always with demonstrations by local groups, a bouncy castle and beer tent while the £1000 first prize raffle was won by local man and Wansbrough Paper Mill worker Cedric Lewis.

On Sunday, the carnival procession kicked off from Market street as 55 entries moved around the bustling streets of the town to the Memorial Ground.

This year's parade included majorettes, a samba band and brass marching bands to entertain the crowds.

Carnival queen Emma Power took pride of place in the procession with runner-up Kimberley Bidwell, princesses Rebecca Duncan and Sophie Aspree and princes George Cooke and William Cooke.

Some new classes were introduced this year including the best dressed shop, the best dressed pram and a carnival baby and toddler competition.

The award for the best entry overall was scooped by the Cammidge and Mossman families with their depiction of the hit animation feature film Chicken Run.

Watchet Mothers' Club brought a splash of colour to the parade with its Calypso Market which impressed the judges who presented them with the best feature float trophy.

The Star Inn was chosen as the best pub entry while Dave Milton was judged to have been the best of the walkers with his Bim's Bistro.

On Sunday afternoon, Songs of Praise was held on the East Quay which was organised by local churches and included a gospel band, dancers and Watchet Town Band.

Carnival committee vice-chairman Sue Coles said: "This year was absolutely brilliant. We did not think we would beat last year's weekend but I think we did.

"There is always a lot of pressure on the committee as we spend nine months of the year planning the event, buying things we need and booking the bands.

"The town was packed on the Saturday and the Sunday which was helped by the wonderful weather. The fete was also packed with the people who were trying their hand at the bucking broncho although I didn't have a go myself."

Mrs Coles said the cost of organising the weekend of activities always proves a challenge but the committee are always determined to better the previous year's efforts.

"We are a small dedicated committee but what one person is unable to do another will know someone who can. We all pull together and work as a team."

She added: "We have all different ages in Watchet so we have to put on different events and have music to cater for all of them which can be a difficult.

"But we could not have done this without the help of the people of Watchet who were brilliant with their support and donations."

To round off a spectacular weekend of activities a large firework display lit up the night sky on Sunday night as again thousands of revellers partied into the early hours.

RESULTS

(In 1, 2, 3 order)

Best walking single or pair, Dave Milton (Bim's Bistro), Ruth Johnson (A Piece Of Africa), Jordan Morgan and Ellie Caddick; best walking group, Cammidge and Mossman families (Chicken Run), Mike Champion and friends (Curly the Caterpillar), 1st Watchet Cubs (Mr Men); best feature float, Watchet Mothers' Club (Calypso Market), Watchet Red Cross (Best of British ); best pub, The Star (Old Star Circus), The Esplanade Club (Land Army Girls); best overall entry, Cammidge and Mossman families; best driver, Watchet Red Cross (Best of British); best first time entrant, Watchet Town Football Club (Grease), Ruth Johnson (A Piece of Africa); best alien entry, John Leech, Minehead (Flowers in Transit), Kay Swain, Crediton (Be My Valentine); best humorous entry, Cammidge and Mossman families, Mike Champion and Co; best vintage vehicle, Mr and Mrs Biffen's Austin 16 hire car 1953; most appreciated supporter, Dave Westcott, Sue Coles; Kids Cup for under 11s, 1st Watchet Brownies (Harry Potter and Friends), st Watchet Beavers (Robin Hood and his Merry Men); best dressed oddity, Cammidge and Mossman families, Dave Milton; best dressed shop, Lynda Cotton Gallery.