Littlehampton Carnival procession in full

But the Romford Royal British Legion Band, from Essex, still arrived in time to join in the festivities under a glorious blue sky on one of the hottest carnival days in living memory.

This year's carnival theme of cartoons and nursery rhymes seemed to inspire all those taking part, with a wealth of colourful characters leaping from the movies and storybooks onto the streets and decorated floats.

Staff from Littlehampton-based cosmetic manufacturers COSi were certainly "made up" with their successful Sing a Song of Sixpence float, including a flock of lustily singing blackbirds, several of them peering out from beneath the crust of the well-baked pie.

COSi took the overall award for the most colourful float, and the winner's trophy for the best trade entry. Second place in the trade category went to motor dealer Cuff Miller's delightful tribute to nursery rhymes, including Little Miss Muffett and the Queen of Hearts.

The best pub and club prize went to West Sussex Camping and Caravan Club's entry featuring the Queen of Hearts, an impressive army of playing card footsoldiers and fleet-footed tart sellers. The fearsome Gallic warriors of Arun Rugby Club, wonderfully dressed in honour of Asterix and Obelix, and including a log canoe, paddled their way to second place.

Fitzalan Medical Centre recreated Alison in Wonderland '” that's Alison Manester, who works in administration at the surgery. And the Mad Hatter's Tea Party, the white rabbit and the Queen ended up celebrating first prize in the humorous class. St James' Concert Party rather misjudged the scorching weather with their float's theme, "It's raining, it's pouring, the old man is snoring", but nevertheless took second place.

Young children's initiative, Littlehampton Sure Start, made its carnival debut a winning one with a superb Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs scene, awarded first place by the judges in the decorative category, ahead of Parkside Play School's tuneful Sing a Song of Sixpence float.

The Laker family went back to the stone age to reappear as the Flintstones, claiming first place in the walking group class.

Others not among the winners on the day, but adding greatly to the spectacle and atmosphere of the occasion, were the Wacky Racers of Belchamber's estate agents, Arun Yacht Club's Owl and the Pussycat, including the pea green boat, 5th Littlehampton Beavers, proving more than a handful for the old woman who lived in a shoe, and the 101 Dalmatians of the Ark Day Nursery.

The Wick'etts were judged best dance troop, looking very smart in their new red and white costumes, and just pipping Littlehampton-based Explosions and the Regis Troopers.

The Medina Youth Marching Band, from the Isle of Wight, received the best band trophy and the crowd's feet were also kept tapping by the City of Coventry Corps of Drums and the Arundel and Littlehampton District Scout Band.

No one in the procession could have been prouder than Littlehampton Carnival Queen Shelley Bone, 15, and her Princesses Nicola Watson, 17, and Tara Moore, 16, as well as Junior Princess Jenna Jeacock, 11, and Flower Girls Jodie Robbins and Victoria Smart, both eight.

They rode in separate open-top cars, while a number of other junior princess contestants accepted the invitation to ride in the procession on the road train normally operating along the seafront.

Keith Croft kept the show on the road with his inimitable commentary and made a big contribution to the daytime events in the town centre, too.