CINDERELLA and her ugly sisters had a fairy tale end to Devizes Carnival when the Contact A Family float was declared the overall winner in the parade on Saturday evening.

Town councillor Pete Smith and other members of the town's Major Wrecks all-male dance troupe were the ugly sisters providing the laughs as they went through their routine behind the main float that glistened in silver as Cinderella was at the ball.

It has been a difficult year for the Major Wrecks, which saw a breakaway group created after an internal dispute, but former Devizes Mayor Mr Smith was delighted to back at the carnival.

He said: "Contact A Family does such a tremendous job for kiddies with special needs you can't walk away." The group was originally formed 25 years ago to raise money for the charity.

Another eye catching display came from West Lavington when around 70 people became The Village People and danced to their classic YMCA song. Villagers arranged themselves in groups of native Indians, cowboys, builders, leather-clad bikers, soldiers and policemen and had the crowds entertained long before the procession left the Green.

Bromham was also well represented as two of the biggest families from the village the Pagets and the Stiles joined forces to create a pirate themed float they named Rascals Revenge.

Tom Paget said: "We thought it was about time we took part and we fancied dressing up as pirates."

The Chivers from Devizes - another family with a famous name thanks to coal deliveries and building work - used the notorious roadworks in London Road for inspiration for their entry called Highway To Hell. A number of the group dressed as giant traffic cones to the delight of the watching crowds.

Ken Chivers said: "We wanted to make a bit of a point."

A number of schools got in on the act with cleverly designed multi-coloured walking entries. Children, teachers and parents from Southbroom St James Academy and Southbroom Infants joined forces to become fish and other creatures from the sea. They took first prize in large waking group for schools and youth groups.

The parade was led by Portsmouth and Bristol Batala Band and music and energy was also provided by White Horse Samba, Wessex Military Band and Casa de Samba.

Two of the giant puppet barons from the Magna Carta celebrations held in Salisbury earlier this year were also on parade.