SPECTATORS and participants may not be able to walk the route with the Ferndown Carnival procession anymore - but with these Daily Echo pictures they can take a stroll down memory lane.

These images were snapped on June 5, 1999, when heavy rain plagued proceedings but failed to dampen spirits.

The procession - the largest in the town’s history - had to be abandoned at the two-thirds point when the heavens opened.

The Adams Axe act, which incorporated the use of chainsaws, also had to be cancelled due to the grass area of the arena becoming slippery and dangerous.

Nevertheless, 17-month-old Owen Lloyd from Verwood won first prize in the fancy dress as Noddy in his distinctive red and yellow car - which, in this instance, was knitted.

Two-year-old Shaun Stokes came second as Big Ears.

Organiser Alan Aldred said although the rain had been a terrific blow, it wasn’t as bad as in 1994 when morning rain wiped out the carnival almost completely.