SHAFTESBURY residents turned up in their hundreds to cheer on the town’s annual carnival procession, despite Saturday evening’s inclement weather.

Marching bands, various floats and 10-year-old carnival princess Kate Kendall braved the rain to make sure the evening was a hit.

The floats paraded along Coppice Street and into the High Street before dispersing, leaving revellers to continue their fun at the town’s fun fair.

Shaftesbury mayor Cllr Lester Dibben said: “The carnival was as good as it has been, despite numbers being down slightly because of the weather.

“It is a vitally important event for the town. It is part of our heritage.”