THOUSANDS of people lined the streets of Todmorden to cheer the carnival procession as it made its way to Centre Vale Park.

There were fewer floats but the regular gang of Erringden Street, Castle Hill School and the Weavers pub more than made up for it with colour and music.

Music through the ages was the theme for the Weavers, of Blind Lane, Todmorden, as the regulars dressed to mark musical milestones including the Beatles and war-time classics.

Thirty members of the Erringden Street Gang, Todmorden, presented The Wild West Stomp - a float organised by Sue Smith and Jacqui Goggs.

Sue said: "We get together each year to put a carnival float together. We have been doing this for six years and it is a lot of fun. We like to think we are showing the children how it's done!"

Pensioner Thomas Hampson dusted down his Pearly King outfit and joined in the parade. Thomas, 78, from Rose Street, Bacup, has been appearing in carnivals since 1965.

He made his outfit 15 years ago and hand sewed every one of the 6,000 buttons on his trousers, jacket and flat cap.

The most colourful spectacle was by far was the African dancers atop the float by Castle Hill Primary School, Todmorden. Youngsters from Todmorden C of E School had less than a week to arrange their Maypole dancing outfits because it was the school spring fair last weekend.

And three five-a-side football teams from Shade School, Todmorden, marched to the park to play in the knockout tournament.

At Centre Vale Park crowds flocked to the entertainment, which included belly dancing, an Irish dancer and Yorkshire long sword dancers, stalls and rides.

Chairman Joe Rez said: "It went really well and the weather held for us.

"The carnival procession was shorter than usual because we usually have a couple of floats from a mill which closed down last year and many of the firms don't have their own transport now and so we struggled to get hold of wagons.

"We had people wanting to put on a float, but no vehicle for them to use. If anyone want to get involved with the organising committee or has a vehicle we can use as a float next year they can contact me on 01706 818484."

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