THOUSANDS of people lined the streets for this year's Bridport Carnival.

The procession, led by the Bournemouth Carnival band members dressed as Spiderman, wound its way through the town on Saturday night.

From tiny tots dressed as fairytale characters, a walking toilet and groups of majorettes, the colourful parade was greeted by cheers and laughs from the crowd.

Carnival chairman Shaun Fox said they were very pleased with the event.

He added: "All I have had is positive comments. There were a lot of good floats and a lot of effort had been made. "There was a great atmosphere and it all went very well."

And the week of events came to an end last night with a torchlight procession through the town to West Bay, where there was dancing and music on the beach, topped off with a spectacular firework display.

The sun shone all day as volunteers helped to prepare the carnival route and the floats and walking entries assembled in St Swithin's Road by 5pm.

After judging they made their way through the town.

Winners of the best overall entry were Bridport Youth Centre. As part of the open studios week youngsters had been working on a huge sea dragon with youth workers and artist Tess Dickson and Polly Wild. The group also won best youth entry. Tess said they were delighted to win.

"Around 13 young people have been coming in mornings to work on this. It is fantastic for them to have won."

There were sausages and burgers handed out by the chefs from Hell's Kitchen on the Brit Valley Rotary Club and John and Jocelyn Pardoe from Goldfinger Jewellers brought their own unique brand of humour with the Bridport Portaloo - a comment on the possible closure of the town hall toilets.

Jocelyn said: "We usually go in for the carnival, it's topical and we thought we'd give everyone a laugh."

Carnival princess, Jessie Chalkley and her attendants Rachel Cole and Billie Hawkins waved to the crowds from their float - all looking beautifully preened and prepared, with their hair styled for the occasion by hair salon Alley Cuts.

Spectators loved Alex and Abigail Phillips from Kilmington who were dressed as a zebra crossing and there were laughs from the crowds as they admired the Bridport Round Table display team of the Red Barrrows.

The group of seven, led by their wing commander, performed choreographed displays with their barrows as they went through the town.

Youngsters were out in force, including staff from St Swithin's Playgroup who dressed as characters from Shrek 2, the four seasons from Mountjoy Special School, Fables R Us from Bridport brownies and the 35 adults and children from St Andrew's Pre-School who dressed as nursery rhyme and fairytale characters.

A lot of effort had gone into floats from DT6, the Chideock Cidermakers and the Encore Theatre Club.

Bridport House Club picked up another award this year, for best costumes in the carnival, with their group of ducks who performed to the Birdie Song.

Tony and Mary Boughton of Dorwest Herbs, who were the main sponsors of the carnival, presented the prizes to the winning entrants, along with the Mayor Geoff Ackerman and Gillian Summers.