PEWSEY carnival’s new managing director Sarah Adams is overwhelmed with the superb effort entrants put in at this year’s illuminated procession.

Like every year, throngs of people lined the route to soak up the atmosphere and residents got in the carnival spirit by decorating their homes and throwing parties.

Some of the floats to roll down the village streets on Saturday evening were the Thunderbirds by Lund and Friends, the Helps and Martin families’ elevating helicopter for their ‘make love not war’ theme and the Madness tribute by the Pewsey Vale Amateur Dramatic Society.

Crowd favourites were the Minions, Disney’s Frozen by the Pewsey Hasbeens and It's Christmas by the Party Animals.

The New Male Majorettes got onlookers giggling with their dance routine using pom-poms, while The KV Bavarian Brass band and the Swindon Army Cadets impressed with their performances.

Mrs Adams said: “Everyone deserves a prize because the effort and cost they incur for their floats is actually priceless. Seeing the children’s faces on Saturday night was enough for me and all the committee to realise that what we have worked hard for is worth every second of our time.”

The fun fair also proved popular with the youngsters and there was a variety of food stalls on offer for hungry revellers.

Once again the river in the High Street was lit up with twinkling lanterns and on the other side of the bridge Toby Tuxford had created cardboard cutouts of the characters from Shaun the Sheep which hovered above the water.

Olympic medallist Shelley Rudman and her partner Kristan Bromley also joined in the carnival antics by dressing up as a spider and wasp, as their daughter Ella Rudman-Bromley is this year’s flower girl in the carnival royalty.

Ella joined carnival queen Daisy Phythian, attendants Anna Jepson and Chelsea Weir, carnival princess Alishya Blake and prince Eben Wheatley in their flower garden inspired float.

“It has been a real honour to be the first female MD of the carnival,” Mrs Adams added. “I am so lucky to have the knowledge and skills of all the directors to help make this a fabulous two week spectacle for everyone, culminating in the most amazing illuminated procession.

“A special mention must go to our royal family who worked tirelessly these past two weeks, and to Heather and their parents who managed their schedules.

“There are so many people who work all year to make the carnival the success it continues to be and I am grateful to each and every one of them. Thank you everyone.”

See more pictures in this week's Gazette