WHERE could you find dancers, scooter riders, marching bands and B.A. Baracas in one place on Sunday?

At Christchurch Carnival on the Quay, which saw the town packed with thronged spectators throughout the length of the High Street and down into Bridge Street.

Taking part in the movie-themed parade this year were Christchurch district explorer scouts with a float themed around hit animation 'Up', the Christchurch Guilbert and Sullivan Society, whose costumes brought a ghoulish touch to the parade, and Christchurch Vespa Club with their immaculate vehicles.

Pure Gold Fitness put on a dazzling display of zumba dance moves, while Umoja Arts Network added an exotic touch with colourful Caribbean-style costumes and music.

Also making their mark were the youngsters from Disco Mad Dance Academy, while the Poole Field Gun Display team gave a rather different but equally exuberant performance.

There was music from the Dolphin Marching Band and Meridian Corps of Drums, both sponsored by Bedtime in Barrack Road, and floats and entries representing local businesses and community groups.

Among them, The Drain Team brought their A-Team themed van, but clearly could not decide between them who would play whom, all coming as B.A. Baracas.

The parade was not all that was on offer of course.

The event actually began on Saturday, with live music and entertainment on the quay including Terry Nash's Meatloaf tribute act, zumba dancing, the Kaleidoscope Dancers and the Wessex Majorettes.

In the evening there was the popular annual fireworks display, sponsored by Hoburne. Meanwhile on Sunday there was plenty more entertainment in the morning.

After the parade, the marching bands and field gun team displayed their talents on Christchurch Quay.

There was a Staffie Stray Dog Show, stalls selling crafts and refreshments and a bouncy castle and also the William Coles’ Fairground on the Quomps.

This year's carnival committee chairman Heather Scott said she was delighted with how the event had gone, it having taken a lot of hard work to put together.

"It has been great to the quay so packed with people," she said.

"So many people came along, and we have had wonderful feedback. People really enjoyed themselves.

"It was wonderful seeing the waterfront packed out, and after the carnival the field gun team were running up and down at the quay with all these bangs going off. It was great fun.

"We have been building the carnival back up. We have been visiting carnivals like Wareham all around Dorset to see how they do things and what we can learn, and who are the people who help them out.

"Of course we always need new committee members, the more we have the more we can do."

Christchurch carnival has been running for more than 100 years, organised by volunteers to raise money for local charities.

For more information about the event or to volunteer go to christchurchcarnival.co.uk/get-involved