CARNIVAL fever gripped Ringwood on Saturday as thousands of revellers hit the town to celebrate the colourful spectacular.

Ringwood Carnival has been the highlight of the town’s social calendar since it began in 1929, with live bands, jugglers, buskers, clowns and stilt walkers all making merry after harvest on the third Saturday in September.

And this year was no exception as oceans of colour and community spirit swept through the streets.

Carnival queen Scarlett Smith and her attendants Paige L’Anson and Taylor Button spearheaded the afternoon procession on a carriage pulled by Sampson’s horses, followed by scores of brightly-coloured themed floats and a succession of marching bands and dancing troupes.

Celebrations continued late into the night, with the torchlight procession attracting imaginative entries including a team of gladiators, midwives and fairies while Ringwood brewery handed out samples of their finest beers.

The Beached Boys played on the Bickerley before the spectacular firework display.

A carnival organiser said: “Thank you to all our very generous sponsors, all the fantastic crowds, the amazing procession entries and the super fair.

“The market was a big success and we’ll be expanding that in the years to come. The carnival wouldn’t be anything without all of you together. Well done to all the acts, musical and otherwise, they all added to the rich carnival history.”