SCORES of brightly coloured floats took part in a fun-filled parade.

The annual Lytchett Minster and Upton Carnival parade saw people dress as characters from Shrek, cowboys and indians, bumble bees, a samba band, circus performers and superheroes to walk along Poole Road and through residential streets to the recreation ground as thousands on residents of residents lined the pavements to watch.

Lynn Wright from the Beacon Association, who organise the event, said: "There were 34 parts to the parade this year, which is a record number, and 40 stalls.

"It's a magnificent turn out and it is a fantastic day."

Michael Tomlinson, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, was asked to help hand out the prizes for the winning carnival floats.

He said: "I'm delighted to be involved in the carnival itself. It has been glorious weather and it couldn't be a better day for the event."

Poole town crier, David Squire, said that the standard of this year’s parade floats was ‘very high.’ Other floats in the carnival parade included a Chinese dragon, Poole Field Gun Display Team, ladies dressed as Bill and Ben the Flowerpot Men, a boy in a miniature version of a lorry and children in fluorescent outfits inspired by this year’s Olympics in Rio.

There was Zumba dancers, superheroes, children dressed in red and black sports kits from Lytchett and Upton Red Triangle Football Club, members of the Rock Choir, knights and maidens and princes and princesses.

Michelle Law from Albion Station Dorset and Hampshire and the South Coast Science fiction and fantasy club, said: “We usually go to conventions but for the past three or four years we have been helping out in the carnival parade.

“It was fun and really enjoyable and there seems to be a lot more people watching than there was last year. They seemed to like the music and the atmosphere.”

Claire Chissell from Camp Amazing said: “Our theme was cowboys and Indians and we had about 20 to 25 children and adults in our group. We joined in last year and had such a good time that we decided to come back this year. There was such a good atmosphere.”

Meanwhile there was a host of entertainment in the recreation ground including a carnival band, dance displays and children’s entertainment.