THE sun may have shone brightly, but this year's Davenham Carnival was destined to be a resounding success - whatever the weather.

Organisers of the event have hailed it their best yet, with a record number of villagers joining the fun throughout the day and night.

More than 50 visiting queens also turned up to take part in the procession, which started at Hartford Road and stretched around the entire length of the village.

Carnival committee member Barbara Jones said it was a fabulous event.

"The sun came out just as we were lining up for the procession and it stayed like that throughout the day," she said.

"We had such a long procession that we just about managed to get it round the village before the place became gridlocked.

"It seems that every year gets a little bit better and this year was certainly the biggest and best we have ever had."

Despite the absence of the Silverdale Morris Dancers, who were forced to cancel their planned appearance at the last minute, villagers still enjoyed an excellent programme of entertainment including strengthologists Tony Brutus and Amanda, Barnton Silver Band and Altrincham Boys' Brigade Band.

But the real stars of the day were carnival queen Demi-Lee Webb and Miss Davenham Victoria Jones, who were crowned by local author Nellie Osbourne, along with fairy queen Sarah Howard, Rosebud Victoria Kettlewell and lady-in-waiting Lauren Dewsbury.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.