COLOURFUL costumes and sunny smiles greeted visitors and villagers as they lined Porlock High Street for this year’s carnival celebrations.

The 34th Porlock Carnival – the only remaining carnival on Exmoor – raised a huge amount for local causes with this year’s total topping the £3,000 mark.

Organisers said there was a “fantastic” turnout of crowds and entrants alike for the carnival held on Saturday September 1.

As well as floats and walking groups from local charities and organisations, there were majorettes, stilt walkers, bagpipers, a samba band and a Minehead hobby horse.

After the procession, entrants and spectators headed for the village hall for the prize-giving overseen by Carnival Queen Emily Sparks and Carnival Princesses Eva Lister and Minna Allenby, as well as a disco and refreshments.

Nigel Southwood, carnival chairman, said: “We were blessed with good weather and a true carnival spirit. The crowds were full of cheers for the floats and everyone had a great evening. The committee thanks all those who took part and all the volunteers who helped out on the day to make this such a fantastic event.”

Carnival sponsors were: Overstream Guesthouse, The Castle Hotel, Clive Downs Butchers, Myrtle Cottage B&B, Porlock Bay Oysters, Discovery Safaris, Rosebank House, Porlock Pharmacy, Seaview B&B, Phil Weaver.