A WONDERFUL display of children's fancy dress costumes started off a fantastic carnival day in South Zeal on Saturday.

Led by the dashing, piratical young carnival prince Ed Selwood and delightful carnival princess Amy Reddaway, costumed characters joyfully streamed down through the village on a beautiful sunny, if cool, afternoon.  Babes in decorative vehicles and outfits were happily swept along in the tide of colour, creativity and sheer enjoyment of carnival to the recreation ground where even judging could not diminish the satisfaction of participation.

The participation of high quality illuminated floats, adult costumed characters and themed groups and young participants in the evening procession led again by the carnival prince and princess that showed that quality above all really counted.

The presence of visiting royalty by Okehampton's Carnival Prince and Princess was both welcomed and appreciated.

An addition to the procession that might encourage further local business participation was a mystical Spider's Web illuminated float entered by The Oxenham Arms, that was filled with supremely scary characters preparing for Hallowe'en.

The job the judges faced must have been difficult due to the high standard of every float, costumed group or individual character.

That quality counted was confirmed yet again with the participation of the 'Energizer Drummers, the Bideford Pipe Band and The Torrington All Stars Majorettes; not forgetting the valued presence of The Okehampton Lions catering van and volunteers that added their own warmth to a splendid, if chilly evening.   

The carnival committee is grateful to those of all age groups participating wholeheartedly, mums, dads, relatives and friends, area young farmers' clubs, stewards and helpers on the night, the judges for giving their time, the community support and, especially, everyone who worked hard throughout the year to ensure South Zeal Carnival continues.

Carnival competition results, afternoon:

Children's scarecrow making competition: 1, Ed Selwood. Groups:1, Guy Fawkes, South Zeal Cubs; 2, Shape Sorters, South Zeal Pre-School; 3, Monsters, South Zeal Brownies. Under 5 years: 1, Dragon, Wilfred Herridge; 2, Spiderman, William Guscott; 3, Archie the Builder, Archie Guscott. Five to seven years: 1, Humpty Dumpty, Lucy Abbott; 2, Sir Bastien, Seb Watts; 3, Witch, Sienna Lewis. Eight to nine years: 1, TNT, Jacob Luxton; 2, Madusa, (sic) Maddie Watts; 3, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Nell Stephens. Ten to eleven years: 1, Seagull, Benjamin Rogers; 2, Lion King, Emilia Bazeley; 3, Aladdin, Lauren Abbott. Decorated wheels: 1, When I Grow Up, Penna and Friends; 2, Disney Fairies, The Tucker family; joint 3, Fireman Sam, Cameron Guscott and Friends and Lottie's Pumpkin Patch, Lottie Powlesland. Pairs: 1, Where's The Spider? Ella Kaye and Issy Rowland; 2, London 2012, Peter White and Connor McKnight; 3, The Queen, Bethany Watts and Ruth Frangleton. Over 12s: 1, The BFG, Beth Frangleton. Afternoon overall winner: When I Grow Up, Penna and Friends.

Evening carnival procession results:

 Trade: 1, Terry Cooper; 2, Oxenham Arms. Original: 1, Witch Doctor, Sprockett CC;    2, 75 Years of Winkleigh YFC, Winkleigh YFC; 3, Farm Wacky Races,  Cheriton and Tedburn YFC. Royalty floats:1, Okehampton Prince and Princess. Walking individuals: 1, Iron Man, Paul Baker;  2, Hallowe'en, Graham Jones. Walking pairs: 1, Those Were the Days, Miriam Penna and Annie Willis. Groups: 1, Team GB, The Jecks, Bazeley, Rowlands and Frangleton families. Pedestrian controlled vehicle: 1, Busy Bees, Bolt Family; 2, Harvest Rain for Sale, Vinnie, Pedric and Tyler Hale. Best walking: Bees, the Bolt Family. Best visiting: Okehampton Prince and Princess. Best overall: Witch Doctor, Sprockett CC.