As Ringwood prepares itself for another colourful carnival, the Daily Echo takes a look at one of the special events from the past on September 15, 1979.

It may have been the carnivals silver jubilee, but the streets were filled with golden sunshine as more than 10,000 revellers converged in the town to join in the celebrations.

At the end of the day, jubilant organisers praised the event as one of the best up until that date.

It was a weekend for record breaking as the gate takings reached a record £3,329, the float and walking entries peaked at 158, and the cash raised by carnival week rose to more than £7,000 which was up £1,000 on the previous year.

The success was a great relief to the organisers and townsfolk as the carnival appeared to be on the brink of collapse through a serious lack of helpers.

Sightseers lined the snaking route, almost dwarfing the illuminated parade as it slowly shuffled its way through the streets.