A COLOURFUL parade heralded a great day of family fun when Accrington Lions' Carnival came to town.

Crowds flocked to the playing fields of Accrington and Rossendale College, Sandy Lane, for more than five hours of entertainment in a two-arena show on Saturday.

The carnival opened with the Lions' best-ever procession through the town, including 20 floats, several bands, three majorette troupes, two Chinese dragons from the Darwen Kung-Fu Club and the Greyhound Ford rally car.

A cheeky drummer got a new perspective on the show, when he dived right into the party atmosphere from a bungee-jumping tower in his own version of the highland fling.

Accrington Pipe Band member David Curran, 29, revealed the answer to the age-old question: what do they wear under their kilts?

He was sponsored by the Lancashire Evening Telegraph to plummet 175 feet with only a bungee harness to protect his modesty.

Brave David, of Haslingden Road, Guide, said: "I was too busy trying to hold my kilt up to be scared, but when I bounced back up it felt like my stomach was in my shoes. I didn't lose my hat. I don't think I even lost my dignity."

Simon Jersey, of Altham, won first prize for the best trade float and Huncoat Primary School won the best non-trade float prize with story book characters..

Attractions on the field included medieval jousting by the Knights of Arkley, displays of gymnastics and kick boxing, fixed wire model aeroplanes and music by traditional and modern Asian bands.

As well as bungee jumping, daring visitors could try an Army assault course and death slide, and paintball and pistol shooting.

A football competition was won by Rossendale Valley, and runners-up were Stanhill Juniors.

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