A FANTASTIC array of costumes brought a fiesta feel to the streets of Penketh last Saturday, making this year's Carnival the most successful yet.

Despite the dull skies, there was no shortage of colour at Penketh High School playing field, as Deputy Mayor of Warrington, Clr Sheila Woodyatt arrived to judge the floats.

There was plenty of stiff competition from play groups and guide groups, but it was Penketh Swimming Club's nautical theme that won the day, giving members further cause to celebrate their 25th birthday in style.

As the procession left the school, hundreds of people lined up to watch it pass by on its 45 minute journey to Greystone Road park.

Larger-than-life characters from pirates and hippies to clowns and gangsters made their way along Heath Road, down Jubilee Avenue, and through Honiton Way to the Carnival site.

And as the afternoon stayed warm and dry, the Penketh Under Eights football play-off got under way, leaving the adults to peruse the many stalls and the children to try out the fairground rides.

Carnival organiser Irene Coates said: "We were really pleased with the procession and the numbers of people who came to watch. The event was a great success, and the turn-out was definitely up on last year."

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