The Hot Rock float. DA3965P13"FANTASTIC", "wonderful", "the best ever" - these were just a few of the words used to describe Mere carnival last weekend.

They came from chairman of the carnival committee Clive Hazzard as the grand procession ended on Saturday night to bring down the curtain on a spectacular day.

Blessed with perfect weather, the day climaxing a week of carnival fundraising activities, included both an afternoon and evening procession.

However, it takes more than fine weather to make a great day and the months of work the small team of organisers had spent preparing for the carnival resulted in an evening procession that had more entries than ever before.

Procession secretary Ron Cake said: "People from other carnivals in the Wessex circuit were asking how we managed such a great turnout.

"It might be something to do with the decision we made to pay appearance money.

"I think it was well worth the investment and even the police were happy with the way it all went."

For the first time this year, all the children who entered the afternoon procession were given a medal, sponsored by three local companies.

These proved a great success and showed that, in a way, everyone who entered was a winner.

The afternoon trophies were shared between local entries and visitors from Shaftesbury, Melksham, Frome and Blandford.

Even so, it was local talent that won the top prize, with Mere's Jessica Wilcox as a Peacock Queen winning best Mere entry and best entry overall.

With such a high standard amongst the children's entries, three that were not even placed deserve mention for originality.

There was a Miss Marple lookalike, who rode a perfect miniature replica of the sleuth's bicycle, a couple of tiny fairies, entitled 'What Grandma found at the bottom of the garden' and what must have been the youngest entrant, a tiny fairy who was born last Christmas Day and contentedly slept in her pram throughout the entire event.

The balmy evening sky was set alight with the traditional rocket that starts the evening procession and, as the floats began to move off from their waiting zone (which stretched along White Road to the flyover carrying Mere bypass) record crowds were waiting.

Maggie Durkee, who lives in The Square, Mere, said: "There was a wonderful atmosphere.

"Everyone was so happy and good-natured.

"I wish we could have bottled that feeling and saved it to use during the rest of the year!"

On Sunday, the counting of the collection tins began.

Carnival president Jenny Walker said: "We haven't finished yet but it's looking very promising."