CARNIVAL fans crowded into Bacup to enjoy the town's biggest fun day of the year.

Sunny Rossendale Carnival bounced with visitors soaking up the music, street dancing and fairground festivities.

The grand parade from Stacksteads, headed by town crier Peter Gill, was greeted by hundreds of supporters as it made its 90-minute journey to Bacup town centre.

It was the best procession for years, with council and Mid-Pennine Arts organisers making a real effort to stir up support from local firms and organisations.

Flag wavers from Rawtenstall's twin town Bocholt mixed with Britannia Coconutters, majorette troupes, roller skaters, clowns, horse drawn carriages and vintage cars and buses.

There was plenty to delight onlookers who lined the roads. And there was even more on offer in bustling Bacup centre, with the fairground and street entertainment, complemented by trade stands and charity stalls.

Scottish pipers, sea cadets, fancy dressers and face-painters added extra colour to the scene.

Haslingden line dancers led the Great Bacup Line Dance, inviting all-comers to take part.

There were crazy antics from Whitewood and Fleming's Flaming Hot Dog Show and an impressive banner-waving and band display from the Bochholt's Showteam 54 United team.

Other attractions included a dry-ski run and a Viking camp.

Rawtenstall market traders took the best float prize with their market stall display, with Bacup Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society's "Lost City Atlantis" display in second with the Labour Party's "Castaways" taking third. Olive House HFE provided the best decorated car and best bus was decorated by Burnley Sea Cadets.

Rotherham Sunnyside Serenaders were best marching band, with Shawforth Drum Majorettes in runner-up spot and Bocholt third.

Holy Trinity primary school produced the best under-16s fancy dressers, with prizes for Jake Gill's snorkelling Dennis the Menace and the Riverside Park roller blade skaters.

Mid-Pennine marketing officer Kary Spencer was delighted with the Carnival.

"It has been a great day in every way and well worth all the effort," she said.

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