FIFTY colourful floats helped make the annual Wimborne Save the Children parade the biggest and best ever on Saturday.

The extravaganza now in its 26th year, included bands, dancers, vintage cars and more in a lively parade that wove its way through the town from Brook Road to the Square.

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It topped a day of events for children and families in the town where Father Christmas and the Snow Princess greeted crowds of shoppers who turned out for the spectacle.

There was a mini funfair with roundabouts and swingboats, glitter tattoo and face painting, bands and Morris dancers while popular band Gugge 2000 kept toes tapping.

The energetic procession included floats filled up by local schools, nurseries, brownies and cubs, there were traction engines, vintage cars, cyclists, walking groups, Bournemouth Carnival Band and Dorset Youth Marching Band.

Vulnerable children at home and abroad, especially the orphaned and sick youngsters devastated by the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, in Syria and the Philippines will benefit from funds raised.

As usual it was rounded off by a gun salute given by Wimborne Militia on the Minster Green.