15685/1TEDDY bear marionettes and a stunt motorbike wowed onlookers at Melksham's party in the park on Saturday.

The sunny weather brought out the crowds, with an estimated 3,000 people attending throughout the day.

Melksham mayor Terri Welch said: "It was an absolutely brilliant day. We were blessed with the weather and it was a great success."

Children and adults gathered to watch the Teddy Bear's Circus marionettes perform to music, under the direction of circus director Bilbo Bear.

Youngsters joined in the fun, taking along their own teddies for a Teddy Bear's picnic.

Stunt bike performer Jez Avery put on two shows, one on a mountain bike and the other on a motorbike, performing jumps, wheelies and even flying over the top of a car.

Pet owners got the chance to show off their dogs at a dog show, sponsored by Petstown, which was open to every dog, pedigree or mongrel.

Indie Rock band Riley had been booked to perform at the event but had to pull out after one of the band members broke his wrist.

Organisers then had a last-minute nightmare when a member of replacement band, Legacy, also injured himself and the group had to pull out just two weeks before the event.

Luckily local band The Operation stepped into the breach and two members of Beatles tribute Sgt Pepper's Only Dart Board Band, John Legend and Paul Mc Coatoff, also took to the stage.

Organiser Tom Sangster said: "Trying to get a replacement band at such short notice in August wasn't easy and the bands played their music really well."

There was a wide range of stalls and tombolas, a pig roast, disco and an all-day bar provided by Moles Brewery.

The event finished with a spectacular 20-minute firework display in the evening.

The party kicked off carnival week in Melksham, this year being held the week before the carnival procession to avoid an overlap.

On Saturday floats will be leaving the Cooper-Avon car park at 6pm, travelling along the High Street to the Market Place, into Spa Road, along Warwick Crescent, Waverley Gardens and Semington Road before returning to the car park along King Street.

This year's Butterfly Queen, Lucia Galley, will be there, along with many people in fancy dress travelling on themed floats and entertaining spectators with music and dancing.

Along the way money will be collected for local charities but people are asked not to throw money at the floats, in case of injuries.

More photographs appear in this week's Wiltshire Times