DESPITE Saturday's tragedy on the Severn, thousands of people enjoyed the parades, fireworks and fun fair at the 78th Stourport Carnival.

Visitors saw up to 20 floats - led by the carnival Queen, 16-year-old Hanna Meacham, Princess Angharad Rees, aged 10, and Rosebud Danielle Foster, aged 6, all from Stourport, snake through the city centre.

There was also musical entertainment from Kylie Minogue, Jennifer Lopez and Robbie Williams tribute acts, as well from the Lickhill Middle School steel band.

The carnival finished with a bang - literally - following a spectacular 20-minute firework display.

"It was a great success," said Pete Roberts, the carnival committee spokesperson.

"Thousands of people turned up and everybody had a good time. The whole town was buzzing."

Mr Roberts said the turn out may have exceeded last year's when more than 20,000 people attended.

"We printed 7,500 programmes and they were all sold by Friday.

"If you think how many people are in a family, we could easily be up to last year's figure."

He added that all the money raised from street donations would go towards charitable organisations in the Stourport area.

"This is a Stourport carnival and we want to put money back into the community," he said.

If any organisations wish to apply for donations they should contact Mr Roberts on 01299 826930.