SUN shone on Rossendale Carnival's parade as decorated floats, historic cars and 18 morris troupes took to the streets.

The Mayoral car with Mayor and Mayoress Lawrence and June Forshaw led the parade along the crowded streets from Stacksteads to the events in Bacup town centre. And among those taking part were 30 youngsters and friends of Rampton Playgroup from Britannia who dressed up and sang Old McDonald.

Bacup Judo Club was joined by friends from Kendal Judo Club, and every time the procession stopped, the members demonstrated their skills on their lorry. They also had an all day display at the Mechanics Hall above the library in Bacup. Classes five and six from Weir's Northern CP School kept to a European sporting theme of Euro '96 representing all of the football teams taking part in the championships.

Disney characters came to life on the float from Nursery Days in Rawtenstall and the last minute entry left staff with a busy painting session to decorate the float.

Rossendale Amateur Youth Society donned fancy dress to walk the distance and the Debra McLaren Stage School of Dance dressed as Gladiators and performed a dance routine along the way.

Vintage cars and Dale Winfield's unusual bubble car complete with submarine turret and bears Ross 'n' Dale were in the procession along with the East Lancashire Street Band, Haslingden and Helmshore Band and Whitworth and Healey Band.

In the town centre thousands enjoyed good weather, craft stalls, refreshments, a fun fair and a crazy performance by Dora's Dangerous Donut.

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