THE city's MP has hailed the return of a 'proper summer carnival.'

After an absence of more than two decades, Worcester Carnival returned to the city's streets on Saturday with thousands turning out in glorious sunshine to see the parade.

Robin Walker, the MP for Worcester joined the mayor of Worcester councillor Steve Mackay and carnival queen Katie Cooper for the festival’s official opening at the Guildhall and he praised the organisers of the event.

He said: "It was fantastic to see the Carnival return to Worcester’s streets after so many years.

"The effort and energy that participants poured into their floats and the parade was tremendous, and the reaction from the crowds matched that.

"It was a pleasure to award the best float prizes to Worcester Community Trust and Perdiswell Young People’s Leisure Club – a difficult choice as the standard of design and performance was so high on all of the floats that took part.

"I was also very impressed to see local veterans parading with a portrait of the late, great Mike Layland to whose memory the event was dedicated. He would have loved every minute of it”

"After a couple of false starts in recent years, it is really positive for the city to have a proper summer carnival back on the civic calendar.

"In particular, I want to pay tribute to Alan Feeney and Malvin Hobbs, without whose efforts this successful relaunch would not have been possible.

"The support from local people and visitors alike really was impressive, and I’m sure I speak for people across the city in eagerly anticipating next year’s event.”

There was entertainment throughout the day from a number of local live performers on the community stage in the Cornmarket.

At 2pm, the parade began from Croft Road, with a large number of floats processing along a circular route through the city centre.

With thousands of spectators lining the streets, floats from local community and youth groups, businesses and sports clubs made their way along the route for over an hour.

After the procession, carnival president Cllr Feeney presented awards for the best floats which Mr Walker had judged.

Worcester Community Trust was chosen as the winner of best youth and community float, while Perdiswell Young People’s Leisure Club was awarded best overall float.