A RECORD number of entries, big crowds, and the annual tar barrel run ensured that this year's Hatherleigh Carnival was one of the best in recent years.

The carnival fun began on Friday, with the traditional pulling of the unlit barrels by local children, with Hatherleigh Jazz Band accompanying them on the way.

The first burning barrel run took place at 5am on carnival day, with the hunt's arrive at 11am filling the town square with horses and hounds.

The afternoon procession was led by Hatherleigh Silver Band, which included this year's carnival presidents, Robin and Mandy Wonnacott.

Robin crowned the carnival queen Ellie Holland and prince and princess Sebastian Haste and Ella Bowden.

Royalty was the theme for many of the carnival floats, with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee inspiring many of the entries.

Cindy Squire of the carnival committee, said: 'For everyone who didn't get to this year's carnival, let me tell you that you missed one of the best for years.

'We had record entries, fantastic quality floats and amazing walking participants ranging from James Bond to the penguins from Happy Feet. Crowds supported both the afternoon procession and the evening alike.

'A massive thank you to everyone who attended this year's carnival.

'We hope you had a fantastic time and we hope you come again next year.'

The carnival committee expressed their thanks to Hatherleigh Silver Band, Okehampton and Torrington bands, the samba band, local police, Hatherleigh Primary School, and everyone who took part in the carnival, including the collectors, marshalls, and children in the children's procession.

Carnival afternoon results: Decorated cycles/prams, local: 1, James Bond, Harry Edwards-Brady; 2, Santa Comes to Carnival, Strawbridge, Dennis and Stangroom; 3, Ride a Cock-Horse to Banbury Cross, Demeka Brock; highly commended, Lottie's Pumpkin Patch, Lottie Powlesland and Little Red Riding Hood, Hutton and Gingell. Girls 5 and under: 1, Raining Cats and Dogs, Olivia Slee. Boys 5 and under: 1, Cool Cat, Joe Bater; 2, Little Pirate Zak, Zak Brimacombe. Girls 6-9 years: 1, Queen of Hearts, Myia Porter; 2, One Woman and her dog, Alisha Slee; 3, Smurfette, Charlotte Reddaway. Boys 6-9 years: 1, Tutankhamun, Niall Alford; 2, Oompa-Loompa, George Davey. Boys and Girls, 10 to 16 years: 1, Seagull, Benjamin Rogers; 2, Minnie Mouse, Louise Gleeson-Warren. Pairs, 7 and under: 1, Thunderbirds, Robin and Bodie Carter. Pairs, 8 to 16 years: 1, Mascots, Connor McKnight and Jacob Luxton. Groups, 16 and under: Joint 1, Happy Feet, Hatherleigh Brownies. The Romans have arrived, Hatherleigh Primary School. Decorated cycles/prams, visitors: 1, Punch without Judy, Tracey Spry. Best shop window display: 1, The Paper Shop; 2, Cornucopia; 3, The Fish and Chip Shop.

Evening results: Artistic tableaux, minimum 75% crepe paper: 1, Highampton does Shrek, Highampton Primary School; 2, Celebrate 2012, Wonnacott, Bater, Dilling and Squire families. Original tableaux, minimum 75% crepe paper: 1, Red Arrows, Anstey, Bennett and Hartnett. Decorated tableaux: 1, Hatherleigh Mardi-Gras, Rupert Brandon-King. Comic tableux, local: 1, The Royal Float-illa cruises into Hatherleigh, Wollacott, Moore, Tucker, M Wonnacott and Co; 2, That Lot does Haverley Yankers, Stevens and Co. Comic tableux, visitors: 1, Lewdown YFC Supporting British Dairy Farmers, Lewdown YFC; 2, Jubilee Street Party, Mary Phillips; 3, The Inbetweeners, Okehampton YFC. Artistic tableaux, visitors: 1, Dancing through the decades, Launceston YFC. Original tableaux, visitors: 1st, Celebrating 80 years of YFC, Bradworthy YFC; 2, Devon Air Ambulance, John Nicholls; 3, Farmers' Wacky Races, Cheriton and Tedburn YFC. Highly Commended, Winkleigh YFC, Newton St Cyres and Bow YFC, Clawton YFC and Buckland Brewer YFC. Visiting Royalty tableaux: 1: Okehampton Queen, Jane Bailey; 2, Camelford Fairy Queen, Diane Bosley; 3, Dolton Queen, Roz Squire. Highly commended: Okehampton Prince and Princess, Holsworthy Fairy Queen, Winter Wonderland. Visiting royalty, car: 1, Launceston Queen; 2, Holsworthy Fairy Queen. Adult walking guys: 1, Iron Man, Paul Baker; 2, Spooky Halloween, Graham Jones; 3, Reach for the Stars, Dave Elson. Adult pairs: 1, Monkey Suits, Nicola McGinley; 2, Purple Rain, Helen and Laura Reddaway. Walking guys, 15 and under: 1, Anna's Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, Anna Moyse; 2, Smurfette, Charlotte Reddaway. Walking couples, 15 and under: 1, Dinosaurs, Nicola McGinley; 2, Superheroes, Sophie Reddaway and friend. Groups 15 years and under: 1, Mr Men and Little Miss, Maggie Kelly. Adult Groups: 1, Shrek Babies, Mark Bakehouse, Mark Andrew and Chloe Rose; 2, In the Night Garden, Elaine Morgan. Decorated hand barrows, cycles and prams, local: 1, James Bond, Harry Edward-Brady; 2, Ride a Cock-Horse to Banbury Cross, Steve and Sandra Brock; 3, Santa comes to carnival, Strawbridge, Dennis and Stangroom. Decorated hand barrows, cycles and prams, visitors: 1, Busy Bees, Kath Bolt.

Trophy winners: Best local: Red Arrows, Anstey, Bennett and Hartnett. Best visitor: Celebrating 80 years of the YFC, Bradworthy YFC. Best local Organisation: Highampton does Shrek, Highampton Primary. Best comic: The Royal Float-illa Cruises into Hatherleigh, Woollacott, Moore, Tucker, Wonnacott and Co. Best YFC: Dancing through the decades, Launceston YFC.Best walking guys, singles/pairs: Anna's Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, Anna Moyse. Best walking guys Groups/hand-held vehicles: James Bond, Harry Edward-Brady. Best Overall: Red Arrows, Anstey, Bennett and Hartnett.