This year's theme was the Glorious Garden and among the carefully-crafted puppets were animals of all shapes and sizes.

Dancers dressed as plants and flowers moved to the rhythm of samba drummers, and children wearing bee costumes pushed their way along on mini scooters.

Hundreds of people took part in the parade, which made its way from Victoria Road through the centre of the town, finishing up at Calder Holmes Park.

Stiltwalkers, samba drummers and marching bands added to the carnival atmosphere.


For a slideshow of pictures from the event - click here.


Among the spectacular creations were a giant spider on wheels, a snail, a host of ladybirds and a group of garden gnomes.

Artists from Thingumajig Theatre and community arts organisation Heads worked with local schools and outreach centres to create the costumes, using space provided by Set Bray property developers.

The public were invited to put forward their ideas of what the parade should include at a consultation meeting in February. The ideas were then given to artists who worked on the four sections of the parade – in the garden, bugs, the dance of pollination and the bountiful garden.

Parade producer Jade Wadley said: "This is the second Handmade Parade and we would like it to become an annual event. It brings lots of tourism to the town and lots of people."