A COLOURFUL parade wound its way through the streets of Brightlingsea during the annual carnival.

The summer spectacular boasted more than half a dozen carnival queens, with visiting courts from Clacton, Walton, Great Bentley, Mersea, Coggeshall and Burnham on Crouch.

Majorettes, dance troupes and Brightlingsea Church Lads and Girls’ Brigade were also among the procession which took an hour to get around the town and back to the recreation ground.

Twenty unicyclists in fancy dress also joined the parade floats.

This year’s theme was “around the world”.

Brightlingsea Musical Theatre Group’s US float belted out music from Happy Days.

Others had Mexican and Around the World in 80 Days themes, but there was still no escaping the great British weather.

Carnival chairman Tracey Barton said: “As we got back to the recreation ground and started the majorette and dance competition, the heavens opened.

“But the rest of the afternoon went ahead and there was a good turnout.”

The carnival, which has been running for more than 60 years, also featured live music.

See today's Gazette for two pages of carnival pictures.