Thousands lined the Devizes Carnival route as floats and walking entries left The Green.

Many local primary schools entered into the fun by taking part on Saturday after holding after-school clubs to create their outfits.

As usual Southbroom Juniors - now known as Southbroom St James' Academy - and Southbroom Infants turned on the style under the leadership of teacher Rachel Merritt and were rewarded with the honour of best overall entry in the carnival.

Their walking entry Up, Up and Away included hot air balloons and planes.

Miss Merritt said: "We really love taking part. There are 65 people in total this year."

Mayor Sarah Bridewell was caught up in the atmosphere as she joined samba dancer Mawra Santos from the London School of Samba on The Green before the dancers, fresh from Notting Hill Carnival, took to the streets.

Coun Bridewell said: “The standard of entries this year looks very high.”

Winning the prize for those who travelled the furthest to take part in the carnival must have been mother and daughter Sarah Godwin and her daughter Rose, ten from Kuala Lumpur.

Mrs Godwin, who grew up in Devizes, said: “I can remember taking part with the Brownies when I was dressed as a pink fairy. My daughter always wanted to take part and so this year we joined they joined the Mass Mob Makers.”

This was a new carnival initiative which gave individuals or small groups the chance to join together to create an entry.

The Godwins joined carnival stalwarts the Beddoe family to create an entry with a giant spider as its centrepiece. It was good enough to win first place in their class.

Wansdyke Primary for the second year running took to the back of a lorry for their entry which this time was The Muppets. Mums Louise Blake and Sally Cox organised after school clubs for the pupils and parents to design their costumes.

Mrs Blake said: "We have all been practising our songs and actions."

Heddington Amateur Dramatic Society, whose float had a Beach Boys' theme, had a bit of a technical issue when its amplifier broke but good Samaritans from Devizes Light and Sound stepped in to provide a replacement as the procession went down Sidmouth Street.

This years judging did not take place on The Green but from a short way down the route.

Judge Julz Davis, who is part of the St Paul's Carnival in Bristol, said: "What I want is lots of energy and to see people enjoying themselves."

He got this in bucket loads from The Wonder Girls who took first prize in the majorette class. 

Overall winner: Southbroom St James Academy. 

Class A (decorated trade vehicle): 1, Hillworth Park; 2, Heart Wiltshire

Class B (pubs, social clubs, street clubs): 1, The Pig and Whistle Pub; 2, Chivers Carnival Club; 3, Heddington Amateur Dramatic Society. 

Class C (disabled groups): 1, Devizes and District PHAB. 

Class D1 (schools, youth groups, walking - up to 20 members): 1, Devizes District Guiding; 2, Devizes Musical Theatre.

Class D2 (schools, youth groups, walking - over 20 members): 1, Southbroom St James Academy; 2, St Joseph's School; 3, Trinity School.

Class E (schools, youth groups on vehicle): 1, Cadets, 2, Devizes Budo Club; 3, Wansdyke School.

Class F (individuals and small family groups): 1, Mass Mob Makers; 2, HFT; 3, Star Wars Bounty Hunters. 

Class G (decorated small vehicles, non motor): 1, Fancy Pantz. 

Class H (majorettes): 1, The Wonder Girls; 2, Bluebell Drum Majorettes; 3, Stardust Majorettes.

Class I (dance groups): 1, Lindsay Howard School of Dance.