Thousands of people enjoyed the sights and sounds of Trowbridge Carnival on Saturday evening.

The colourful procession, of 64 entrants, brought a crowd of around 15,000 to the town centre with organisers heralding the carnival as one of the best Trowbridge has seen.

Maryrose Mantle, the Trowbridge Carnival Committee chairman, said: “It went brilliantly and there were so many people many people out on the streets. I think we had more spectators than last year and all the entrants thought the crowd were just wonderful.”

Floats were entered by Trowbridge groups including Active Trowbridge and Hope Nature centre. While, staff from Trowbridge’s new Odeon cinema, opening in St Stephens Place on Friday, gave out vouchers to the crowd.

“It was an ideal opportunity for them, a week before opening, to come and say hello to the town. We are looking forward to working with them for years to come,” said Mrs Mantle.

“The carnival is such a great event which brings the town together and I was so pleased that we had 17 traders getting involved this year.”

The event also saw a fun fair run in Court Street.

James Edwards, 34, of Westbury, attended the event with his wife Jennifer, 32, and their two children Sam, five, and Emma, three.

Mr Edwards said: “We’ve been coming down to the carnival for the last few years. It is fantastic family fun and the kids love seeing the shiny floats and wonderful outfits.”

Mrs Mantle said that many of this year’s entrants were so impressed with the event that they’ve already signed up for next year’s carnival.

She said: “The carnival is something for all the community and it was great to see local people coming together. Our committee deserve a lot of praise as without them the carnival couldn’t run.”

  • See this week’s Wiltshire Times for results from Trowbridge Carnival.