ON the hottest day of the year Calne witnessed a day of festival celebrations and an impressive carnival procession on Saturday afternoon.

The theme of Around the World in a Day ensured some creative entries of carnival floats and walking entries.

"It's a day I will never forget," said the Mayor of Calne Cllr Robert Merrick, "people were saying it was the largest procession ever with so many fantastic entries.

"There was great attendance, with hundreds of people lining the streets.

"Out visitors from twin towns in Germany and France loved it and were really impressed as they don't have carnival processions like this in their own towns."

The events began at noon on the Strand and in the park area off Church Street with Eartunes Radio hosting the Main Stage with live music and a lively afternoon of commentary and games.

The festival featured donkey rides, street stalls and street entertainers.

Leaving the town's football club at 4.30pm on Bremhill View the procession wound its way down to the Strand where the A4 had been closed to traffic.

JJS Transport and Hills Waste Solutions provided many of the vehicles for the floats which continued the round the world theme with each one choosing a different country as their inspiration.

"There was great community spirit," said Cllr Merrick, "and on the hottest day it was an exceptional day.

"The town crier competition was really impressive with I felt the strongest entry was from Newcastle-under-Lyme who did an around the world in a day cry which really chimed with the theme of the day.

The carnival committee thanked The Hills Group for providing recycling bins on the day.

"We are getting a reputation for putting on really big events," said cllr Merrick, "and with good weather the festival has to go down as one of the best ever"