HUNDREDS of excited spectators and participants packed the streets as one of Okehampton's biggest events of the year took place last weekend.

A total of £2,500 was raised by Okehampton Carnival 2009, as both young and old came together to participate in the fun-filled event which ran late into the night.

Adults and children pulled out all the stops when they paraded the town in a variety of wonderful costumes.

Judging of the children's fancy dress took place in the Charter Hall and was followed by the crowning of the carnival Prince and Princess, Jacob and Hannah Friend, conducted by the mayor of Okehampton, Cllr David Weekes.

The children's procession then left School Way and made its way down through the town.

The evening procession started after the crowning of the Carnival Queen, Cerys Morgan.

Okehampton Excelsior Silver Band, who donate their time freely each year, led both the afternoon and evening processions and also played a selection of music in Fore Street before the evening procession.

Prior to the carnival, many shops entered a best dressed window competition which was also judged on the day.

Chair of the carnival committee Elaine Gord expressed thanks to all those who helped make the day a success.She said: 'The committee was very pleased with the turn out and the weather on the day.

'We'd also like to thank Donald Rook, South West Highways,

Okehampton town Council and many others too numerous to mention.

'With over 150 children taking part in the afternoon event and 30 entries in the evening, everybody enjoyed a wonderful show.

'With such colour and fun this was a date that will be long remembered.'

Okehampton Carnival will return next year on Saturday, October 16.

Carnival results (afternoon):

All day collectors crepe paper, 1, Remember remember, Graham Jones ; 2 Luck Of the Irish, Dave Ellison. All day collectors non-crepe paper, 1, Trouble and strife, Neil Bisby; 2, Sammy scarecrow, Valerie Harvey; 3, Town crier Terry Harrison. Girls 11 to 15 years, 1, Now that's What I call Music, Amy eden; 2, Flower Power, Katie Bolt; 3, Rapunzal, R|hian Kirk. Boys 11 to 15 years, No entries. Girls eight to ten years, 1, Witch Tierney Graham; 2, Queen of Hearts, Larissa Goodger. boys eight to ten yeaars, 1, Sea King, Zak Donaldson; 2, The cat in the Hat, Benjamin Rogers; 3, Skeleton, Travis Gramham. girls six to seven years, 1, Incy Wincey Spider, Shani Kirk. boys six to seven years, joint 1, Reduce Re-use Recycle, Lewis Parker, Okehampton Times, Alex Campbell. Girls under five years, 1m Tinkerbell, Roxy Tucker; 2, Little Bo Peep, Charlotte Jackson; 3, Flower fairy. boys under five years, 1, Look how my Garden Grows, Shea Coyle; 2, Stars and stripes, Daniel Wonnacott; 3, Don't let Owen go to Waste , Owen Parker. Pairs, seven years and under, 1, One and a half Cheers for Devon, Charlotte Dell and Sophie Penna; 2, Super Mario Brothers; 3, Termite Tom,

Thomas Jake Priday. Pairs eight to ten years, 1, Army 09; 2, Hell Boy and Fairy Girl. Pairs eleven to 15 years, 1, Guitar Hero; 2, The Little Devils. Groups of up to five people, 1, The Vikings are Coming, Hetty Vallance, Maia Holliday, Ebby Vallance, Corey Holliday Jasmine Vallance; 2, The Sound of Music, Zoe Curtis, Ellie Joy, Emma Currtis, Rachel Aubin; 3, Follow suit, Evie and Morgan Woods, Grady and Roman Alford Groups of six to 12 people, 1, Magic at Rainbow, Rainbow Pre-School; 2, Bungle in the Jungle, Okehampton Children's Centre. Groups of 13 or more people, 1, Fairtrade for Okehampton. Wheeled vehicles crepe paper children, 1, Two little men in a Flying Saucer, Jacob Penna and Matthew Dell. wheeled vehicles, non crepe paper, children, 1, Moonlight and Music, Gabriella Cook; 2, Star Wars, Ryan, Liam and Sophie Balman; 3, Top Gear, Caelia Berry, Mercedes Berry, Casey Primwell, Mason Smith. Wheeled vehicles, crepe paper, children and adults in costume, 1, Clowning Around, Madison and Amie Chambers; 2, High School Musical, Jordan Wilson, Stephanie and Ryan Wills. Wheeled vehicles, non crepe paper, children and adults in costume, 1, Walk Like an Egyptian, Kath Bolt, Syeda Daniel, Kirsty Cracknell, Louise Woodman, Courtenay Bolt, Luke Daniel, Ellie Daniel, Noah Cracknell, Laura Woodman, Charlotte Woodman, Molly Rickwood, Cheyenne Searle, Sophie Mugglistone, Ellie Shayler, Izzy Shayler, Tom Watts. Best pair or group, Guitar Hero, Declan Coyle and Brandon Dicken. Best crepe paper, King of the Sea.

Best overall, Army 09. Best shop window, OK Leisure. Best charity shop window, Briish Heart Foundation.

Evening results: Artistic tableau, local 50% crepe paper, 1, High School Musical. comic tableau, local, 1, Lewdown Young Farmers does the A Team; 2, The Flintstones. Original topical tableau, local, 1, The Magic Roundabout; 2,Royal Ascot comes to Devon. Trade tableau, 1, Blooming Marvellous; 2, Darren Wills Truck Entry; 3, A30 Rescues and Apache Quads. costumed collectors, single non crepe paper, 1, Zodiac; 2, Trouble and Strife; 3, Teatime. Costumed collectors, three or more non crepe paper, 1, Red Devils; 2, Folk Around the Year, 3, Virgin on Rediculous. Costumed collectors non motorised vehicles, 1, Clowning Around; 2, Walk like an Egyptian; 3, Jigsaw. Under 16 non motorised vehicles, 1, Starwars; 2, Old Macdonald; 3, Top Gear. Costume collectors, crepe paper, 1, Rememeber Remember the 5th of November. Under 16 walking guys single or group, 1, The Vikings are coming; 2, The Greatest Show on Earth; 3, Thriller. Under eleven walking guys, single or group, 1, We Support our Heroes; 2, Super Mario Brothers; 3, Reduce Reuse Recycle. Visiting carnival royalty, floats, 1, Bude Carnival Royalty; 2, South Zeal Queen. Artistic visitors, 1, Gypsy Glade; 2, Tour of Britain; 3, Shrek, Launceston YFC. Orginal/topical, visitors, 1, Colour the World; 2, Luck of the Irish; 3, Strictly come Barn Dancing. Comic visitors, 1, Pirates of Clawton, Clawton YFC; 2, Michael Jackson Tour, Chagford YFC. Best overall, Blooming Marvellous. Best local, The Magic Roundabout. Best visitor, Colour the World. Best YFC, Clawton YFC.