DOWNPOURS failed to dampen spirits at a fun-packed Evesham Carnival that proved a feast for all the senses.

Hundreds of people packed the town to enjoy the colourful Rio carnival-themed parade, which wound through the streets accompanied by music and dance.

The event, organised by the Vale of Evesham Round Table and carnival committee, saw more than 20 brightly decorated floats

Carnival committee member Glen Lyon said: "We had a fantastic carnival.

"It is an example of the round table working with the community to create a fantastic day."

The carnival featured more than 20 motorised floats which helped create a vibrant, multi-coloured parade.

Carnival revellers waved and danced as the crowds cheered and the St Andrews Pipe Band, Long Eaton Millitaires and Celebration Reed and Brass Band all played in the fun-packed parade.

The parade stretched for more than half a mile from the motorcycle outriders at the front to the West Mercia Fire Brigade’s engine at the rear with entrants from local schools, clubs, charities, individual families and Tesco.

The Vale First Food Festival, organised by Transition Evesham Vale, took place on Crown Meadow but high quality food was not the only thing on the menu.

There was entertainment for all the family including: Magic Steve; James Locke; the Bretforton Silver Band and finishing with The Pleasuredome.

There was a busy area of charity and community stalls including the newly reformed Evesham Ladies Circle who offered Face Painting and glitter tattoos to any spectator who felt under dressed with the colourful floats nearby.

The Best Float was judged by a panel co-ordinated by John Raphael which comprised Wychavon District Council chairman Frances Smith, Evesham mayoress Sue Amor, Marcus Toney, chairman of Vale of Evesham Round Table  and Carnival Queen Kiaragh Brown..

The results were 1st Sedgeberrow School; 2nd Heart of England Mencap & 3rd St Richard’s School

Mr Lyon added: "The Carnival Committee would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who took part and all those who braved that spell of ‘liquid sunshine’ to stand along the parade route to watch, cheer and donate to the bucket collections.

"The list of organisations and people to thank is extremely long, but these are a few to start with:

Karndean Design Flooring, Listers VW, R K Services, Transition Evesham Vale, Wychavon District Council, Evesham Town Council, Marshalls of Evesham, R. Sinclair Transport, Spiers & Hartwell, Troughton Transport, J R Payne Haulage and H&I Transport.

"And a special mention for two of our stalwart committee members who worked all year to ensure we had participants on the floats Pat and Brian Marshall."

Mr Lyon urged people to visit the carnival website and Facebook pages to give their view on this year’s carnival and how it could be improved.

Anyone interested can log on to eveshamcarnival.uk