CROWDS turned out to see two processions as Blandford mounted its carnival.

Saturday's event saw a children's fancy dress parade in the afternoon followed by an evening procession with illuminated floats and marching bands.

Carnival committee chairman Lilian Jones said the event had gone "very well".

The afternoon saw 30-35 children taking part in the fancy dress competition before going on a parade around the town. "The children were brilliant and the numbers were up on last year," she said.

The carnival challenge cup for the best entry went to Rea, Amy and Nanny June Lillywhite for their interpretation of Rosie and Jim. The cup for best endeavour went to Elizabeth Collbrough as Polar ice cream.

The evening's procession consisted of 10 floats, with All Sorts Carnival Club's entry, Celestial Sadness, scooping the prizes for best endeavour and best overall entry. Best local entry was the G White and M Fowler Families' float, Welcome to Nurseryland. Top band was the Dorset Youth Marching Band.

Lilian Jones said: "The evening went off very well. There were some lovely big floats from outside, which does help you a little bit. I just wish we could get a little bit more support from the town.

"We know there are one or two local ones that couldn't come in this year for reasons beyond their control but we were still up on last year."

She said the success of the event boded well for next year.

"Last year we were so despondent we had all passed the comment 'Is it worth going on?' because there are so many rules and regulations now that it's a year's hard work. But when you get a night like this one, then you think it's all worth it," she added.