FUN-LOVING Longton folk took to the streets to celebrate their annual carnival day.

Smiles were in full bloom as the weather stayed fine for the colourful event. Marching bands filed through the village providing the perfect accompaniment to the day. However, one poor musician was left behind as his drum failed to turn up on time!

The village playing field on Liverpool Road was the main hive of activity for the popular attraction which featured heaps of games, sporting challenges, craft stalls and amusements.

Youngsters donned make-up and fancy costumes to create colourful characters such as clowns, cowboys and carnival queens. And the adults were not to be outdone as they too dressed up in various disguises.

The highlight of the fete was the procession which snaked its way through the Preston village. The winning float was created by the Fourth Longton Brownies.

In second place came the Longton Community Church float, followed by third-prize winners the Second Longton Scouts. All money raised from the day will go to local charities.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.