Carnival hailed the best yet (From Witney Gazette)

Carnival hailed the best yet

1:28pm Wednesday 12th July 2006 in Witney

THOUSANDS turned out to help make this year's Witney Carnival one of the best in history.

Organisers said they were surprised and delighted to see so many people flock to the town for the colourful event on Saturday, which has the Witney & West Oxfordshire Gazette among its sponsors.

It was estimated that 4,000 visitors took part in the festivities making it the largest crowd yet.

The fun kicked off at 11am with a float procession through the town centre. Schoolchildren from across the town took part, dressing their floats and themselves in costumes with fairytale and nursery rhyme themes.

The procession, which included more than 20 floats finished at The Leys, where pupils from Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School, in Curbridge Road, Witney, were crowned winners of the best float competition for their efforts at bringing to life the rhyme Oranges and Lemons.

After the winners were announced, Witney MP and Conservative leader David Cameron officially opened the carnival at The Leys, saying he was honoured to do so, before joining in some of the fun in the main arena.

The opening marked the start of a fun-filled afternoon of activities, ranging from a battle between inflatable Cumberland giants and belly dancing by the Witney and Carterton Hazzaz and Isisters Dancers, to the old favourites tug-of-war and a dog show.

Craft and food stalls lined The Leys, along with a funfair.

The carnival, which was first held in 1928 when it was set up by the Royal British Legion, was organised and run by Witney Rotary Club, Witney Lions Club and Witney Air Training Corps.

Spokesman Liz Morrison said: "We just couldn't get over the amount of people, there were people everywhere and it was a great success. Even the weather was fantastic."

Jane Gibbons, from Madley Park, Witney, who was at the carnival with sons Joshua, four, and Edward, five, said: "We only moved to Witney last August and went to Witney Feast, the fair, in September, but this was our first carnival here.

"It's been brilliant the float parade was really good, the kids loved it."

• A list of carnival raffle winners will be available in the Witney Gazette office, in Market Square, Witney, from Wednesday,July 12, along with items of lost property from the event.