Thousands watch Carnival parade

Pavements, garden walls and street corners were packed as the parade weaved through the town on its two-hour journey to the Polegrove on Saturday.

A record-breaking eight carnival courts from Bexhill, Pebsham, Hastings Old Town, Hoddeston, Basildon and Pitsea, Enfield and Waltham Forest brought charm and glamour to the proceedings.

For the highlight of their social calendar Bexhill's carnival court used their new float.

Carnival Queen Natalie Forrow, 18, was joined by her deputy Rebecca Herring, 16, princess Charlotte Spinks, 15, and junior princess Rachel Frost,10, as well as mascot Chloe Wallis, 5.

Hornsy won the carnival court category, with the Pebsham princesses winning community court.

The Senlac High Steppers walked away with a prize for their enthusiastic majorettes performance.

The theme of entertainment struck up a double success for All Saints School and Church in the charity and schools and colleges categories.

The church team raided wardrobes and record collections for the Rock of Ages.

The idea twinned the biblical rock with the musical rock, enabling them to dress in accordance with their favourite era from 1960s to present day.

Church warden Debbie Clark said: "We worked for two weeks solid on the float - all day and every evening.

"Every year we have tried to tie it in with the church. This year the theme was entertainment so we thought Rock of Ages was a good theme."

The school took on a Disney theme to scoop their prize.

The Franks family entered the procession for the 14th year with a highly impressive Hogwarts Express that won the family groups category and best in show.

Sarah-Jane Franks said: "It is a lot of hard work and determination to get the float and all the costumes together.

"We started about two months ago." The Express even had 'working' pistons and a full rolling cast list on the back.

Sure Start children and parents worked hard for two months on a 101 Dalmations float. They won the playgroups and pre-school groups category.

Parent board member John Falla said: "The children helped cut out all the spots for the dalmations and made the flowers and all the greenery for the float - they worked really hard.

"Winning a category has absolutely made up for all the time spent on it and made it all worthwhile."

The Sportsman pub showed that Grease is still the word with their float, complete with Sandy and Danny, that won them the pubs, clubs and hotels category.

Visiting entrant Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway rolled away with the prize in the commercial class while the Bexhill Childminding Association toddled off with the prize for walkers and fancy dress.

The Observer, McDonalds and other sponsors were happy to be associated with the event.

Some even chose to provide extra entertainment for the day, including Glamour Nails in Sidley who sponsored David Beckham look-alike for prize presentation and the Rose and Crown staff who were happy to take part in the procession - in full Hungry Horse costumes.

Prime Signs of Hastings took on a major role in the day by judging the floats.