PLEASANT July weather brought out the crowds for Saturday's St Annes charity carnival.

A town-centre parade of colourful floats and local groups started off the fun, and organisers have hailed the event as a success.

Carnival association chairman Angela Jacques, said: "It all went very well indeed. The weather was very kind to us, and the rain stayed off until it finished. St Annes Square was very full. "

Since 1978 the carnival has raised around £40,000 for local charities, and the final total from this year's event will be announced in time for a special presentation at Fylde Town Hall.

The afternoon's events were launched by Fylde MP Michael Jack, who also inspected the St John Ambulance guard of honour and judged the parade of visiting queens, while St Annes High School jazz orchestra set the event swinging.

Carnival queen Stacie Cartmell was crowned by Fylde Mayoress Katie Fieldhouse and, together with retiring queen Lindsey Smith, she presented Grange Park queen Latisha Giles and Thornton Cleveleys gala queen Jennifer Whiteside with the carnival's Queens trophies.

Among the parade winners was Our Lady Star of the Sea School, which won the new walking tableau section with their depiction of nursery rhymes. All the parade prizes were presented in Ashton Gardens by Tracy Dawson.