PERFECT weather meant thousands of people lined the streets of Devizes on Saturday evening to cheer on the carnival parade.

The procession had an Indian theme with the Rajasthan Heritage Big Band leading the floats and Paisley the sacred cow also taking centre stage.

Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts chose the theme to mark 70 years of Indian independence. But other groups drew inspiration from the weird and the wonderful to entertain the crowd.

Carnival stalwart Ken Chivers, 72, who has been taking part in the processions for 50 years, was dressed as a rooster to lead Ken’s Funky Chickens.

He said: “It is tradition for us and it is nice that my grandchildren are now joining in.”

His daughter Penny Stanley said: “It is a lot of work but we all really enjoy it.”

Devizes Town Council staff and family were also out in force with their Grease inspired float and members young and old were doing their best John Travolta impersonations.

Deputy town clerk Simon Fisher said: “We are all having a really fun time. It would be good for more firms to be involved.”

Wadworth Brewery with a movie theme float and DH Smith Packaging with Angry Birds showed support.

But this year only three primary schools Southbroom Infants, Chirton and St Joseph’s joined in the parade. Southbroom Infants swapped their usual walking costumes to be on a large motorised float for its Jungle Book theme.

Villagers from Lavington had boy band Wham as their theme.

RAF cadets were ready for take-off in their cardboard aircraft, Bishops Cannings Rainbows were their own ray of sunshine and both Homefarm Trust and Devizes PHAB were out in force.

Heddington Amateur Dramatic Club had a Sleeping Beauty on its motorised float and Devizes Fairtrade and the RNLI also joined in.

Wessex Military Band made sure the back of the parade was marching in style and Devizes Scooter Club gave a '60s vibe.