PORLOCK celebrated 25 years of carnival last Saturday with a near record breaking number of entries - the highest for six years.

The town got into street party mode for the special silver anniversary parade, raising the most money in the history of the event, an impressive £2,000 for local charities and organisations.

With music from Moses and his barrel organ launching the festivities and the Wellington Majorettes demonstrating their talents, the crowds were more than ready for the start of the early evening procession.

A total of 21 entries snaked their way along the carnival route, headed by Carnival Queen Jessika Osterlind and her princesses Tia Hawkins and Charlotte Short.

Porlock firefighters, the local coastguard team, the Red Arrow Majorettes and the Dolphin Marching Band from Dorset, along with stilt walkers from Stiltskin UK were also on hand to support the entrants and entertain the estimated 3,000-strong crowd lining the streets.

A group from Porlock's sheltered housing complex Healeys scooped the overall winner's title, with a spectacular Grow Your Own at Healeys entry that also won the cup for the best adult mobile float.

A one-off 25-year special award went to Porlock Ladies with their depiction of Fat Cat Bankers.

And to mark the silver anniversary event, all the winners - including best topical, best comical and best in carnival - received Bristol Blue Glass trophies, designed and donated by Jim and Susie Adlington of Exmoor Glass, who also donated the special award.

Carnival committee member Hanah Bays said the event had been an outstanding success.

"It was absolutely amazing. We were really lucky with the weather and although it was a little bit drizzly as the floats were lining up, it cleared and we actually had blue skies - for the first time in the last few years.

"It was a special celebration because it was our 25th carnival and the crowds made it extra special - it was fantastic."

Other winners in 1,2,3 order:

Individual adult - Chris Miles (Great British Icon), Andy Short (Postman Pat), Mike Braidwood (Porlock Cycle Hire); individual under 16 - Oliver Downs (Cat in a Hat); junior walking group - Michelle Shopland (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), Cath Keal (Percy's Exhibits on the way to Porlock Flower Show) Kelly Keal (The New Recruits); adult walking group - Porlock Ladies, Porlock Visitor Centre (Golden Girls), Sharon Smith and co as The Optimists (The Great British BBQ Summer); trade, pub or hotel - Top and Bottom Ship (Viking Ship), The Royal Oak (New Sensation), Porlock Hardware and Costcutters (Costcutting Rocket Hardware); junior mobile float - Porlock Under 5s Playgroup (Old Macdonald Had a Farm), 1st Porlock Scouts (Michael Jackson 'Thriller' Dancing with the Dead); adult mobile float - Healeys, The Royal Oak, Porlock and District Bowling Club (The Half Monty); best comic - Porlock and District Bowling Club; best topical - 1st Porlock Scouts.