The festive feel-good factor is clearly alive and well in Swindon. Around 8,000 people lined the streets on Sunday to celebrate the Christmas Carnival.

Organisers hailed it a terrific success and and hope this year's spectators will become next year's participants.

Event co-ordinator Sally Barker said: "It is great. We have been so lucky with the weather. I have heard people asking why there aren't more events like this. The Christmas Carnival is really gathering pace."

A variety of entertainers clad in weird and wonderful costumes gathered in the town centre for a parade which wound its way along Regent Circus, Regent Street and Canal Walk.

Winnie the Pooh, Snow White and Father Christmas mingled with Ali G, Rockin' Robin, and someone dressed as a pint of Guinness.

Robotic-looking stilt walkers clutching flares led the way as participants strode along the parade route to the sound of Winter Wonderland.

Miss Barker said: "This all about putting the feel-good factor into Swindon. We have some excellent shops and car parking fees are reasonable when you compare them with places like Oxford and Cheltenham."

The carnival was created by Swindon Town Centre Manage-ment in 1996, in a bid to get the town's tills ringing in the build up to Christmas.

"It was initially called the Christmas Parade but we thought people might think it was a military event," she said. "Carnival reflects fun and that is certainly what the event is all about."

The celebrations were organised by the Christmas Steering Group, comprising the Town Centre Management Team and the Brunel Shopping Centre.

Youngsters gazed in awe at the stilt-walkers, who braved windy and slippery conditions to take part.

"I had my fingers-crossed we wouldn't have them toppling over," said Miss Barker.

Such is the event's prestige that Santa Claus dropped in to provide some early festive cheer for the children.

Other attractions included an autograph-signing session by members of the Swindon Town squad, the Celtic Academy of Irish Dancing and The Black Eagles Tanzanian acrobats.

Miss Barker hoped the encouraging response to the new-look carnival would spark greater community involvement for future events.

"We would like the community to feel this is an event they have a part to play in, as well as enjoying what they see," she said.

Swindon mayor Arthur Archer thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the parade, along with other 160 participants.

He said: "It has been wonderful. A real community occasion. I only wish we had more events like this. It is enjoyable for those watching and it is good for businesses in Swindon as well."