MINIONS, Dad's Army, Shrek and a sprinkling of Notting Hill flamboyancy hit Swanage seafront for the popular annual carnival on Sunday.

Organisers believe more than 40,000 people lined the seafront and surrounding roads to watch this year's parade.

People dressed as characters popular television shows, cartoons and films took part in the fun procession, which ran along Institute Road, Shore Road and De Moulham Road.

The theme for the event was soaps and sitcoms which participants from scout groups, nurseries and schools, sports clubs and community groups, the RNLI, Maritime and Coastguard Agency and The Tank Museum were then able to interpret.

Music was also provided by various local bands as well as Rampage Mas Band, who brought a hint of the Notting Hill Carnival spirit to Dorset for the day.

And, it appears everyone got into the spirit of the occasion, especially this PCSO.

PCSO Iain Leslie was spied showing off his moves while directing traffic from the packed out car parks in Swanage. 


Becky Mack, chairman of Swanage Carnival, said: "We think there were between 40,000 and 50,000 people watching the carnival procession.

"It was a pretty good crowd with good weather which meant that there were lots of people along the entire route. Some of the groups had really gone to town with the theme."

She said that there were over 20 floats taking part with some new entrants for 2016 which entertained the crowds.

"We heard that there were traffic queues back to Poole Fire Station and also back to Rick Stein's Restaurant for people travelling on the ferry.

"The procession really showcases the community and people travel long distances to come back and see it year-on-year."

Becky went on to say that after the procession the Rampage Mas Band stayed on to entertain people in the Swanage Carnival Showground.

There was also a bike ramp in front of a large inflated air cushion for members of the public to have a go at practicing some stunts in front of the crowd. She added that there was also a zipwire installed in Prince Albert Gardens for the carnival.

There is a host of activities planned for the remaining week of the carnival with a market today (AUG1), wacky races tomorrow (AUG2) and the scruffs dog show and then an evening firework display on Wednesday.

Carnival's Got Talent will run on Thursday, a vintage car display will be held on Friday before a motorbike stunt show in the arena on Saturday with three bands performing live music ahead of the event's final fireworks display.