THE threat of rain failed to dampen the spirits at Tavistock Carnival Procession on Saturday.

Fortunately the bad weather earlier in the day held off for the procession when a variety of splendid floats dazzled the gathered crowds.

Carnival spokesman Steve Grummitt said the whole week had been 'very successful' with something for everyone.

'We tried to cater for everyone with events ranging from a disco in the town hall to a concert in the church by the Rame Head Peninsula Choir,' he said.

The theme of this year's carnival was '2001 A Space Odyssey — Out of this World'. Tavistock Mayor Norma Woodcock judged the best in procession and West Devon Borough Mayor Robin Pike judged the best in carnival theme.

'The procession was a bit down on last year. We had one visiting carnival queen — mainly because a lot of the village carnivals had been cancelled because of the foot and mouth and therefore did not have carnival queens or princesses,' said Steve.

'We hope that next year we will see a lot more visiting carnival queens and princesses back in the procession.'

This year was one of the best turn outs for the baby show for years with 35 entries.

The collection on the procession route was £2,035 — about £400 down on last year which, the organisers say, because of the poor weather earlier in the day, was not surprising.

There were just under 65,000 coins collected, which took two and a half hours to count! The count took place at the fire station watched over by Judy George of HSBC who has attended the count for the last 10 years. To mark their appreciation, the club president Clive Pattison presented Judy with a bouquet of flowers.

Steve Grummitt said the anticipated profit from the week is around £4,500. The profits will be distributed amongst the charity groups, clubs and schools that participated in the procession as well as other local charities.

The winners of Best in Procession and Carnival Theme each received a trophy and £100. Next year's theme is 'The Best of British comedy'.

Results: Parish bowls competition: winner, Brentor; runner up, Buckland Monachorum.

Pavement artists competition: Under 5 years — Florence Prosser; 5-8 years — Laura Hooper; 9-11 years — Laura Radgick.

Baby show: under one year — Victoria Friend, Tavistock. Over one year — Jordan Higgins, Tavistock.

Queen of Queens competition (The visiting Carnival Queens and their attendants are judged off their floats): winner Briony Julian, Liskeard Fairy Queen attended by Elizabeth Stacey.

Carnival procession: Best in procession — Abbey Surgery: Best in Carnival Theme — Milton Abbot School. Visiting Royalty — Liskeard Fairy Queen. Humourous — 1, Abbey Surgery; 2, St Peter's School; 3, Dartmoor Meningitis Support Group.

Artistic: 1, Milton Abbot School; 2, St Rumon's School; 3, Gulworthy School.

Walking: 1, British Red Cross; 2, Tavistock Hockey Club.

Trade: 1, The Market Inn; 2, Tavistock Ring and Ride; 3, TRT Taxis.

Mini Soccer competition (held on July 15): Under 9 — winners, Tavistock Jets A; runners up, Elm United. Under 10 — winners, Horrabridge; runners up, Martin D's Jets.