ORGANISERS of Ledbury Carnival are hailing at as one of best in years, after the sun shone and the crowds came out in droves.

The good weather that was specially ordered in by Carnival Committee chairman, Hilary Jones, arrived as expected; and an estimated 10,000 people flocked to the town centre to see one of the largest carnival parades in years.

There were nine floats, several horses and many walkers in costume, in support of this year's carnival theme, Heroes and Villains.

Ms Jones said: "It was the biggest crowd I've seen for several years; I would guess at 10,000 people, and a lot of people stayed in the town after the parade. The town centre was packed all day.

"A good time was had by all."

The money from bucket collections on the day is still to be reckoned up.

However, Ms Jones said: "It's looking pretty good. It seems as if people have been generous."

The carnival costs over £8000 each year to stage, with the aim of breaking even, - helped by bucket collections which take place along the route of the carnival parade.

The impression of an extra special this year has been shared by Ledbury residents.

New Mills resident, Chris Loten, a keen amateur photographer, said: "The weather was better than I can remember for many years; and I thought the carnival was particularly good."

Attractions on the High Street stage included live music from the Frontrunners, Now or Never and the C-Quins, and Ledbury Brass Band.

On St Katherine's car park, attractions included live music, Punch and Judy and magic shows.

Prizes are awarded for the best entries in the parade, and the results were as follows:

Class 1 children’s fancy dress

1st PC NIK-EM : Bea Powers

Class 2 Children’s Fancy Dress

1st Cruelly Deville : Erin Lobo

2nd Paw Patrol : Lewie Hobby

3rd Ledbury Police Officer : Rory Barry

Class 3 Senior Fancy Dress

1st King Richard The Third : Keith Francis

2nd Dick Turpin : Brenda Hill

3rd Golden Olympia : Sylvia Mil

Class 4 Best Bicycle, Pram, Walking Group

1st Cops and Robbers : Helen Powers and Friends

2nd Ledbury Maritime Cadet United Field Gun : Ledbury Maritime Cadets

3rd Paw Patrol : Sammi Hobby

Class 5 Best Equine

1st Disney Heroes and Villains : Walnut Equestrian Centre

Class 6 Best Small Float

1st Heroes and Villains of Our Souls : Romanian Family

2nd Ledbury Stocks Cops and Robbers : Pugh

3rd Thor and Louis : Twinning Association

Class 7 Large Float

1st The force is Strong with Rotary : Rotary Club

2nd Panto Goodies and Baddies : Ledbury Amateur Dramatic Society

Class 8 Best Children’s Float

1st A Trip to Neverland : Friends of Ledbury Children’s Centre

2nd Best of British : Bromesberrow St Mary’s School

3rd Cops and Robbers : The Weagers

Best Adult Fancy Dress

Darth Vader from the Rotary Club Float

Best Children’s Fancy Dress

Spiderman vs Doctor Octupus : Charlie Thomas and George Allen

Best Overall Winner

A Trip to Neverland. Friends of the Children Centre