THE 28th annual Save the Children Christmas parade in Wimborne has been hailed the biggest and the best yet.

The historic town saw no less than 50 floats as well as a walking tableaux when the parade began yesterday afternoon.

It wound its way into the centre of the town via Leigh Road, Lewens Lane, Park Lane, East Street, King Street, West Street before coming to the Square and finishing at the High Street.

More than £2,000 was raised for the children's charity last year and organisers hope they'll smash that target through street collections this year.

Anthony Oliver, parade marshal, said: "If you look at the weather we got through pretty well. Pretty much the whole parade got through before it started to have any effect.

"There was a fantastic, great crowd despite the weather.

"The 28th event was a good all-round event and luckily the weather didn't dampen it."

There have been more than 50 marshals needed to keep the road junctions safe and man the crowds for the festive event.

As well as the array of street entertainment children had the chance to meet Father Christmas and some of his many friends.