EXCITED crowds lined the streets of Okehampton last Saturday and all eyes were on the stunning floats and walkers which helped make this year's Okehampton Carnival a roaring success.

For many onlookers, the colour and inventiveness of this year's entries made for the best carnival for a number of years. Entries in the children's fancy dress competition were up this year, and there were 40 entries in the evening procession.

The chairman of the carnival committee Stan Stormont said: 'The standard of all entries of this year's carnival is the best for many years, especially the children's fancy dress which was one of the hardest to judge.'

A fabulous total of £2,117.41 with still more to come, was garnered by official carnival collectors.

The chair also wanted to thank all the shops and businesses who helped make the carnival such a success, and South West Highways who donated the 'Road Closed' signs.

'It is great to see that the spirit of the carnival is alive and well in Okehampton,' said Mr Stormont.

Some of the floats that caught the eye were 'Romany Nights' by the Butt, Cooper and Mills families, and Lewdown YFC's 'Dads Army', not to be outdone by Launceston YFC who brought 'The Blues Brothers' to Okehampton. The prize for most original walking guy went to Graham Jones' 'Elton John' and the Flower Pot in Fore Street won the best window dressing competition.

The Okehampton fire engine lead the evening procession through Fore Street, with the sound of the Devon Fire and Rescue Ceremonial Band also bellowing out. The band had also played in Fore Street half an hour before the start of the procession.

Further musical magic was provided by Okehampton Excelsior Silver Band and Bideford Young Pipe Band. The Tavistock Twirlers majorettes also added to the spectacle.

The carnival committee would like to thank all those who entered and took part in collections and St John Ambulance, the Air Training Corps, the Army Cadet Force, Dartmoor Rescue Group and others too numerous to mention.

The committee will be having a meeting shortly to decide how to distribute the proceeds. Here's to next year!