SOUTH Zeal Carnival has a reputation for maintaining long established traditions, and despite the strong winds and rain, that tradition continued last Saturday.

Carnival prince Archie Pope and princess Emily Budworth joined their attendants Isabella Pope and Amber Budworth along with other excited children for a march down through the village to the playing fields for the judging.

An increased number of participants showed their creative flair, with children dressed as pirates, jellyfish, smurfs, Romans and whales among the surge of windswept colourful creations on show.

The fun continued into the evening, as the illuminated floats lined up in the village street, filled with colourful characters and defying the damp weather.

Residents and visitors mingled in the streets with the likes of Guy Fawkes, dragons and pirates.

Carnival queen Christabel White ascended her throne, joined by attendants Evie Woods, Ellen Taylor and Peter White.

The Bideford Pipes and Drums Band led the procession through the village and towards Sticklepath, with the Energia Samba Band adding their own exotic music along the way.

The carnival committee expressed their thanks to everyone who took part and to the public for their support.

Carnival competition results, afternoon:

Groups: 1, Jellyfish Tots – Powesland family and friends. 2, The Hungry Caterpillar, South Zeal Pre-school. Joint 3: The Smurfs, Pengelly, Humphries and Herridge families; Pirates, South Zeal Scouts.

Under 5s: 1, Tiny Tumble, Reggie Guscott. 2, A Pirate's Life for Me, Morley Webber. 3, Little Bo Peep, Kate Abbott.

Five to seven years: 1, Dorothy, Lily-Beth Taylor. 2, Gnome, Lucy Abbott. 3, Indian, Martha.

Eight to nine years: 1, Pirate, Cameron Keegan. 2, Crocodile, Jacob Luxton.

Ten to eleven years: 1, Little Miss Princess, Maddy Watts.

Over 12 years: 1, Romans, Connor McKnight and Harry Pope. 2, Batman and Robin, William and Archie Guscott. 3, Devon Rules, Bethany Watts and Cara Dixon.

Wheels: 1, Mum we're Board, Penna and Dell families. 2, Bobsleigh, Ed Selwood. 3, Popping Wheels, Vinnie Pedrick.

Best overall; Mum we're Board, Penna and Dell families.

Evening results:

Comic: 1, Flintstones, Winkleigh YFC. 2, Total Wipeout, Okehampton YFC.

Trade: 1, Oxenham Arms. 2, Mole Avon.

Original: 1, Wild Things, Newton St Cyres YFC. 2, School of Rock, Cheriton and Tedburn YFC.

Topical: 1, Snow, South Tawton Parish Council.

Walking individuals: 1, Whale of a Time, Ben Rogers. 2, Mr Potato Head, Lauren Abbott. 3, Pirate, Cameron Keegan

Walking Pairs: 1, Roman Soldiers, Harry Pope and Connor McKnight. 2, Circus de South Zeal, Bazeley and friends. 3, Walking councillors, South Tawton Parish Council.

Pedestrian controlled vehicles: 1, Nightmare, Bolt family. 2, Cool Runnings, Ed Selwood.

Best Walking: Whale of a time – Ben Rogers.

Best Local: Oxenham Arms.

Best Visiting: The Flintstones.

Best Overall: The Flintstones – Winkleigh YFC.