THE sun shone down on villagers young and old for the Bere Alston Carnival this weekend.

Lots of people lined the streets to watch the procession on Saturday with the theme 'Myths and Legends', and then enjoyed a fun day on Monday.

Carnival committee secretary Fiona Maddock said there were far more people watching the carnival than normal.

'It was beautiful weather and it was so lovely to see such a large number of people out along the whole route. The quality of the entries was brilliant — they keep getting better every year,' she said.

Special guests Mickey and Minnie Mouse made several appearances through the weekend, leading the carnival procession and meeting children and parents at the fun-day.

Visitors to the fun day were entertained with a dog show, face-painting, craft stalls, a bouncy castle, Emaz Dad the magician, who wowed the crowd with balloon modelling and tricks, live music from Georgia Rolls and Paul White and a dog agility display by Sam Wooldridge.

Fiona said: 'The dog agility display was brilliant, and after the display, the public were able to take their own dogs on a simplified course, and they realised how difficult it was.

'Mickey and Minnie went down a treat with the children, they were all hugging them — it was so lovely to see. The weekend was so well attended, it was a great success. It was a lot of hard work but it definitely paid off.'

The carnival committee expressed thanks to Harold Stevens, Tim Morris and Chris Allen and everyone who supported the carnival and helped with refreshments and setting up of the various events.

Carnival results: Artistic float —Tiddlywinks and Chatterbox, 'Pot of Gold at the End of the Rainbow'; Comedy float — Tracey's Childminding, 'Robin Hood and his Merry Men'; Walking (one or two) — Peter and Hannah Maddock, 'Myths of Dartmoor'; Walking (group) — Bere Alston Rainbows, 'Loch Ness Monster'; Something different — Aaron and Emma Kirby, 'King Neptune and Ariel'; Winning Horse — Liv McQueen and Marita Wakeham, dressed up as 'Boudacca'; Outstanding vehicle — tractor, International 634; Best in Carnival — Hannah and Peter Maddock, 'Myths of Dartmoor'.

Dog show results: Best puppy — Amber, owned by John; Best veteran — Tiggy, Claire Whittaker; Best Pedigree — Mensey, Charlotte; Best cross breed — Dally, Marianne Hastings; Best rescue or re-homed — Ash, Elizabeth McQueen; Best child handler (10 and under) — Sasha, Jamie Child; Best child handler (11 to 16) — Purdie, Catrina Ralphs; Prettiest bitch — Ziggy, Rosemary Piper; Handsomest dog — Fudley, Ben; Best condition dog — Troy, Sally; Waggiest Tail — Milly, Shannon Morris; Best in show — Sasha, Jamie Child; Bets in show reserve — Dally, Marianne Hastings.