HUNDREDS lined the streets to savour the sights, sounds and sunshine of the Wootton Bassett carnival over the weekend.

Around a dozen floats and scores of costumed marchers assembled in Marlowe Way, before setting off on a roughly mile-and-a-half march to town’s High Street on Saturday afternoon.

The floats varied in size from small trailers to a massive cargo lorry, flanked by costumed children dressed as everything from crusaders and medieval maidens to ballerinas and a Lego brick.

Chris Fisher, 18, of Marlowe Way, who is a cadet flight sergeant, was among a team which had made aircraft, including a First World War plane and a Typhoon fighter, out of shopping trolleys.

He said: “The last couple of years we’ve used an old 1934 lorry. But we’d used it so much we wanted to do a different idea. Thanks go to Sainsbury’s for letting us borrow their trolleys.

“It’s the taking part that counts. And for us it’s good to promote the cadets. We’re not closing down along with RAF Lyneham.”

Nearby was a cargo lorry with a model of the warship HMS Belfast on it.

Also on board were 24 eight-to-10-year-olds from the Pathfinder cub group of the 1st Wootton Bassett Scouts.

Assistant cub scout leader Steve Williamson, 46, of Longleaze, who co-incidentally comes from a small town just outside Belfast, said: “We decided on this because the cubs went up to HMS Belfast and slept overnight on it a couple of weeks ago.

“The cubs have entered for the last 12 years but this is definitely the biggest one we’ve ever done.

“My grandad actually worked in Harland and Wolff and helped build HMS Belfast, so talk about coming full circle!”

The floats were judged by councillor and former mayor Steve Bucknell, who estimated around 150 were taking part this year in the parade.

Leading the parade alongside wife Allison Bucknell, and accompanied by town crier Owen Collier, he said: “There are maybe not as many floats as there were last year, but the quality is there. We had a difficult time judging it. Everyone gets recognition for taking part. Next year, let’s get many more floats out there.”

The winner of the ARC trophy for Best Children’s Effort was Old Court Community Pre-School for their “Old MacDonald had a Farm” arrangement.

The Pubs and Clubs trophy went to the Bellarinas, from the Five Bells pub – which was also named the Carnival Queen’s choice.

Other trophy winners were the White Knights of Broad Town, who scooped the trophy for overall winner, as well as Longleaze Pre-School and Nursery, and Wootton Bassett Cubs and Beavers.

Karen Maslin, 46, of Bushton Road, Broad Town, and husband Michael Maslin, also 46, helped set up the White Knights of Broad Town float, made up mostly of children from Broad Town and Wootton Bassett schools.

Mrs Maslin said: “It’s fantastic, I was not expecting it at all. I’m overwhelmed really, it’s brilliant.

“This is our third time – we’ve won the commercial category before, but not the overall one. That’s why I’m all...”, and then she whooped loudly at this reporter.

The marchers set off at around 4.30pm, with Leanne Wallace, 15 and of Longleaze, marching close to the head of the parade, as this year’s Carnival Queen.

“It is an absolute honour,” she said.

“I’ve always wanted to be involved in the community in any way. I’m the most beautiful carnival queen you’ve ever seen! This is the best experience I’ve had in years. It’s like Miss World all over again.”

Meanwhile, as they marched along to the sound of samba drums and raucous dance music, hundreds of spectators watched from the kerbisde.

Teresa Paget, 55, from Simnel Close, Grange Park, was there with husband Ronnie and their grandkids, who were dressed as Buzz Lightyear and a soldier.

“It’s the second year we’ve been,” she said.

“It’s just good to see the children all dressed up. It’s just nice to see all the hard work that goes into it. It’s a good day out.”