Ref.10616HUNDREDS of families turned out to enjoy Devizes carnival's picnic in the park on Sunday.

Most of them brought their own food and settled down for the afternoon at Hillworth Park.

The carnival picnic is in its third year and the organisers are delighted at how successful it has become.

Devizes carnival chairman Dave Buxton said: "We had more people this year than last year.

"We saw lots of people who came last year and they brought friends and relatives.

"It's great to see families out in the sun enjoying a picnic in a relaxed atmosphere.

"Everyone who came commented on how nice it was to be there and that there was a community feel to it."

The picnic kicked off the carnival fortnight. The event was free and the warm weather helped boost the numbers.

Children were kept busy by circus skills teachers who taught them how to juggle, walk on stilts and even walk the tightrope although it was only ten inches off the ground.

A bouncy castle was also well used by youngsters and many queued up to have their faces painted.

Costume-making was also demonstrated by the practitioners who are running workshops for people and groups wanting to take part in the carnival procession.

The barbecue also proved popular and sold 100 hot dogs in an hour.

There were drinks from a licensed bar and music was provided by two live bands. The Barflys, a Wiltshire-based ragtime duo, returned by popular demand and Blue Of A Kind, a Bristol-based six-piece jazz band resurrected the music of Miles Davis.

Mr Buxton said: "Both bands went down very well and they provided the right sort of music for a Sunday afternoon, not too loud and perfect background music.

"The carnival picnic provides a great start to carnival fortnight.

"Everyone went away happy and it's great to hold the carnival picnic in Hillworth Park. It's an ideal location and is Devizes' prettiest park."

Mr Buxton said dozens of copies of the carnival programme were sold at the picnic and he said people were looking forward to the other carnival events.

"There is a buzz in the town about the carnival," he said. "Devizes Carnival is one of the best known in the area and is run by the community for the community."

Carnival programmes are available from shops in Devizes at £1. There is also a website at www.devizescarnival.co.uk