AFTER several worrisome years fair weather favoured the South Zeal Carnival organisers who were rewarded with an exceedingly high turn-out of young competitors when Carnival Day began.

Led by Carnival Princess Abbie Webber and Prince Harry Smith, an afternoon children's fancy dress parade through the village to the recreation ground attracted a good crowd of followers.

Under blue skies and a welcome sun the young ones paraded their colourful characters to the delight of onlookers and the experienced eyes of judges who later confessed the difficulty of their work.

By nightfall the evening procession of tableaux and wonderful walking characters came together before setting out to enthrall the crowds. A mild shower could not surpress the enthusiasm of those in the procession nor those enjoying the event.

Led by the 'Absolutely Fabulous' walkers Jill Davey and Marie Sampson and enhanced by the stirring sounds of the Bideford Pipes and Drums Band, the colour-filled and highly illuminated procession set off around the village.

A carnival disco brought a musical end to a merry day. Organisers have expressed thanks to all those who made the event an outstanding success.

Results were as follows: Children's Fancy Dress: Under 5 years (walking) —1, Wizard, Charlie White; 2, Tinkerbell, Laura Bazeley; 3, Fairy, Phoebe Jordan. 5-7 years — 1, Babe in the Wood, Jessica Jefferies; 2, Fishcake, Callum Mallet; 3, Robokid, Luke Liversedge. 8-9 years — 1, Knight, Danny Watkins; 2, Naked Chef, Thomas Mallet; 3, Marilyn Monroe, Lucy Henry. 10-11 years — 1, Princess Bubble-gone, Chrissy Mallet.

Decorated Wheels — 1, Owl and the Pussy Cat, Nicole and Louise Grainger; 2, Sleeping Beauty, Joelle Henry; 3, South Zeal Pixie, Christabel White. Pairs — 1, Peter Pan and Tinkerbell, Jodie and Max Ford; 2, Knight and Lady, Joshua and Jessica Punchard; 3, Egg and Bacon, Becky Smith and Beth McCloud. Groups — 1, Wood Fairies, Georgia Hawkins and Megan and Rosie Clampett. Overall winner — Owl and the Pussy Cat.

Evening Carnival: Artistic — 1, Paint Your Wagon, Butt, Cooper and Mills families. Comic — 1, Alice's Adventures, Kings Arms, South Zeal. Trade — 1, Open All Hours, Maid Marion Stores. Original — 1, Blue Planet, Liversedge and Connor families; 2, Clowning Around, South Zeal WI. Topical — 1, Spellbound, Zale Carnival Club.

Visiting Royalty — 1, Topsham; 2, Okehampton Princess. Walking (individuals) — 1, Haley Jansz; 2, Purple Monster; 3, Wee Willy Winky, Thomas Mallet. Walking (pairs) — 1, Absolutely Fabulous, Jill Davey; 2, Egg and Bacon, Becky Smith and Beth McCloud; 3, Wishful Thinking, Lisa Liversedge and Sharon Connor. Walking (groups) — 1, Pearly's, Miriam Pennar and Friends; 2, Witches, Ellen Pillar, Rebecca Trussler and Charlotte Radnor.

Challenge Cups — Best Children's, Paint Your Wagon; Best Local, Spellbound; Best Visiting, Topsham Queen; Best Overall, paint Your Wagon. Band prize, Bideford Pipes and Drums.