Thousands enjoy spectacular carnival in seaside town

Thousands of people have turned out to take in the spectacle of Weston-super-Mare carnival.

Friday night's event was the historic carnival's biggest ever, with almost 100 entries, with carts lighting up the streets of the Somerset seaside town.

It follows a plea from organisers for the community to support the event, which has been struggling financially in recent years.

For the first time, it hosted a Carnival Village and punters had to enter via security, where they were asked to donate at least £2 towards securing the carnival's future.

Bridgwater-based Gremlins Carnival Club were crowned winners after judges chose their Beatlemania-themed cart as the favourite.

BBC Radio Bristol's Adam Crowther, reporting from Weston Carnival, said:

"The town was packed with people pouring onto the streets. Families set up camp chairs on the roadside to get the best sport for viewing the bright and colourful carts that lit up the procession route."

Gremlins Carnival Club won first place with their Beatlemania-themed cart

He explained crowds gathered along Alfred Street, the Boulevard, along the Italian Gardens and the famous seafront promenade.

"There was a variety of carts loaded with performers, dancers and tableau actors who entertained the thousands and thousands of people who came to see the most spectacular event the town hosts."