NUMBERS may have been down but those who did take part in this year's Watchet Carnival made sure it was one to remember with marauding Vikings, pearly kings and queens and some flying pigs all doing the rounds.

Even the downpours failed to put the dampeners on the day and carnival committee member Jackie Bale thanked everyone who had made the effort to keep the carnival spirit alive.

Although she was disappointed more people had not taken part in the town's annual procession, she was full of praise for the 26 entries who made up the 2013 parade.

"The people who did enter had put in a lot of time and effort and we were really grateful to them for all their hard work.

"There were some great entries that made the parade what it was - it was really funny this year - but we do need more entries as carnivals are dying off around the country, which is a real shame," Mrs Bale said.

She said the annual procession took a lot of organising and would not be possible without financial support from Watchet Town Council.

And despite helping to organise the parade, there was no rest for Mrs Bale on carnival day itself as she joined the volunteer bucket collectors along the route.

Sunday's grand procession wound its way from the Market Street car park, through the town to the memorial ground, the venue for the town's village fete.

Fete-goers were able to enjoy a whole afternoon of entertainment, including juggling and circus acts, music and dance, arts and crafts and even a falconry display.

The carnival parade itself started at hour earlier than usual to give people time to enjoy both the procession and the fete.

And thankfully the marauding Vikings from the West Somerset Hotel's float did not have to do any looting or pillaging as they took home a host of silverware, which they won fair and square!

Their entry, called Vikings, took the Watchet Town Council Trophy for the best overall entry and was also named best pub entry and best feature float over 30 feet, while the Stuart Thorne was named as the best dressed driver.

It was also a successful show for locals Zippy Shopland, Nick Sherrin and Grant Mozeley who were, quite literally, Three Men in a Tub.

They went away with the cup for the best first-time entry, best humorous entry and best feature float under 30 feet.

Other cups went to carnival stalwarts Wheddon Cross Carnival Club, Knights Templar First School's Parrot Club, Watchet RBL's Dee Mayo and Jan Stevens and the First Watchet Scouts.

Carnival queen Sophie Elston was presented with the Jade Chatfield Memorial Trophy by David Chatfield to mark the start of her 'queenship' and was joined by other members of the Watchet 'royal family' - Jack Hancock, Faith Burnell, Honey Filer, Lewis Clavey and Maddison Anning-Walsh - for the parade.