A COLOURFUL parade wound its way through the streets of Brightlingsea as the town staged its 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.

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

A group of 20 unicyclists in fancy dress also joined the parade floats.

This year’s theme for Saturday’s carnival 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 – it was quite entertaining.

“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.