THOUSANDS of children, parents, and grandparents lined the streets of Witney to celebrate the town's annual carnival.

The fever spread through the streets as dancers, fire engines and bands did what "Witney does best" and parade before packing out The Leys on Saturday.

The annual event has been a highlight of the market town's calendar since 1928, when it was first started by the Royal British Legion.

Now organised by four clubs – the Lions, Rotary, Round Table and Air Training Corps – the procession ran as smoothly as one of the well-oiled steam engines that featured in Saturday's event.

Rotary Club organising committee chairman Ron Spurs said it was great to see so many people turnout.

He added: "It went really well, we've had a lot of support from people coming out and watching.

"It's a great community event. It's all about families and the kids who have taken part, which is great to see."

The procession started at 11am, leaving from The Leys before making its way along Church Green towards the town centre.

This year's theme was "Travels in Time", which saw steam engines, Victorian dress, and cavemen and women parade for the special day.

Led by Oxfordshire candidate for Miss Earth, Charlotte Edwards, the streams of dancers, bag pipe bands and drummers travelled clockwise around the town.

But residents had the best view of the each float in the parade along Welch Way and on the high side of Market Square.

Susan Harris, who has lived in the town for 30 years dressed up in Victorian attire.

The 61-year-old, who works for the African Children's Fund shop in Corn Street, said she takes part in the parade every year.

She added: "It's a fantastic event.

"It's fun, it's free and it's great for everyone to get involved in."