It was always going to be a dodgy job missing the wet weather this year, but Monmouth's carnival was one of the lucky events in the county to enjoy sunny warm weather.

As one of the highlights of the first few days of Monmouth Festival, the carnival had a large number of entries, with colourful floats, costumed groups, and an array of local organisations turning out to parade through Monnow Street.

It was a noisy, colourful and spectacular procession that featured Severnside Silver Dragons Marching Band, Forest of Dean Morris Dancers, racing cars, the Fire Service and other organisations including Monmouth Football Club Juniors; Savoy Youth Theatre; The Police Owl; Austin 7 Club of Hereford, and a 1935 Austin Ascot, driven by Rudolph Griffiths; Mon Teas; Monmouth Netball Club; the Attik and Little Steps' baby group among others.

Lucy Howells, from Rockfield Road, was the young person judges felt most encapsulated the 'Spirit of the Carnival' and rode in style down to Blestium Street in a Riley.

The entries weaved their way down Monnow Street past the stalls and sideshows which add to the attraction of the carnival.

Gathering at Blestium Street, the Mayor, councillor Gerry Bright and his consort, Olive thanked everyone for making this an event for the town ogf Monmouth to be part of, and introduced the two judges, Anne and Stuart (CHECJK) McFarlane who announced the winners

Wyesham Social Club won best large float with their Mad Hatter's Tea Party, while carnival regulars Millbrook Garden Centre won the best small float with a Harry Potter theme; the best walking group was Space Odyssey from Rockfield Friends, and the best individual walker was schoolboy Owen Walters who dressed as Captain Hook.

There were stalls and rides on Blestium Street car park with Chippenham Fields buzzing with zorbs, laser clay pigeon shooting and a tethered hot air balloon.