THE crowds have been flocking to Pershore for this year’s carnival.

The carnival, in its 50th year, has again been full of fun attractions and events.

The highlight was the procession with crowds lining the streets to see the floats setting off just after 1pm, travelling from the football club to Abbey Park.

Among this year’s procession were various colourful floats from Abbey Park School, Pershore Town Choir, Pinvin Plum Festival, and Pershore Rugby Club.

There was also a fun dog show, a carnival cake bake competition, a variety of stalls, a climbing wall, a market, a funfair and bouncy castle, as well as entertainment throughout the afternoon hosted by DJ James Locke.

Solo Circus gave a comedy juggling show and there was a performance from Pershore’s Dance Challenge. Later this evening bands and singers will be entertaining the crowds, before spectacular fireworks.

Colin Shepherd, chairman of Pershore Carnival, said that despite the poor weather there were at least 12,000 in attendance at today's event.

Mr Shepherd: “We do normally have more floats, but we have more going on at Abbey Park this year, with the funfair.

“The people of Pershore always support us.

“We want to get more people involved on the committee for next year.”

Mr Shepherd said after last week’s terror attack in Manchester there had been a bigger police presence at the carnival.

“We were never going to cancel - the committee had discussions with police and we were always going to go ahead,” he said.

“This remains the biggest event held in Pershore each year.”

A vigil will also be held later, with the lighting of candles to remember the victims of the tragedy.