Entries slightly down this year but the crowds were bigger and the quality extremely high

DESPITE a small drop in entries, there was a bumper turnout for Seaton carnival on Saturday, as thousands packed the town to cheer on the colourful procession.

Although the number of competitors was down from 41, last year, to 38, organisers said the standard was much higher this time and more people were there to watch them.

Chairman and procession organiser June Millman said crowds were three to four deep in places with fewer gaps on the circuit than previously.

She told The Herald: “The standard was a lot better, they were really good, and the judges had a difficult time. Considering the recession it was a really good turnout.”

Results:

Cup winners:

Best overall: Bump in the Night (Sidvale CC).

Best walking entry: Up, up and Away (Cousins CC).

Best Seaton entry: Scatty Scarecrows (Phil Armour CC).

Best dressed collectors: Seaton Tesco (Banana girls).

Most colourful entry: The Lion King (Ipplepen CC).

Class winners:

Walking fancy dress, adults: 1 Atlantis (Nigel Phillips A and AA CC), 2 Halo ‘N’ Horns (Lucy Thomas), 3 Guardian Angel (Stella Swain, Ozma CC).

Walking fancy dress, under 16: 1 Phantom-en-Violet (Aidan Pearcy), 2 Toy Story (Jake Bramall, Ozma CC).

Walking groups, pairs: 1 Flower Fairies (Izzy and Evie Bramall, Ozma CC).

Walking groups, three or more: 1 Up, up and Away (Cousins CC), 2 Legend, Lord of Darkness (Paul Lugg, Exeter), 3 Toy Boxes (Merchant Family CC).

Mini floats, non motorised: 1 Scatty Scarecrows (Phil Armour CC).

Mini floats, motorised: 1 Rainbow Pirates (Rainbow Under 5s Playgroup, Axminster), 2 Wizard of Oz (Sarah Bolton, Dalwood).

Local organisations: 1 Tesco collection floats (banana girls).

Youth organisations: 1 1st Honiton Scouts.

Open floats, over 30ft: 1 Bump in the Night (Sidvale CC), 2 The Dove Ball (South Brent CC).

Open floats, under 30ft: 1The Lion King (Ipplepen CC), 2 Grease (Ottery St Mary Venture Scouts), 3 Cold Chills (Budleigh Salterton CC).

Comical: 1 Properrr Job (Nunsford Nutters), 2 Jolly Roger (Axminster Young Farmers), 3 Diggerland (Diggerland, Verbeer Manor, Willand).

Royalty, over 20ft: 1 Bollywood Dreams (Ottery St Mary), 2 Ocean Queen (Bovey Tracey CC), 3 Swantasia (Dawlish CC).

Royalty, under 20ft: 1 Royal Roses (Topsham Town Fayre), 2 The Indian Collection (Totness Community Carnival), 3 Crowning Glory (Colyton Queen).