Trowbridge was alive with carnival spirit on Saturday as up to 13,000 descended on the county town for its annual procession.

Organisers hailed it as the biggest carnival in years, with 50 entrants including eight large floats from local businesses as well as others from across the South West.

Trophies were handed out to entrants in 14 different classes after the procession, which left Canal Road at 7pm with the help of town crier Trevor Heeks, before heading through to The Down and onwards, finally finishing at the Cradle Bridge.

This year’s carnival saw four marching bands take part, including the newly formed Wiltshire Youth Marching Band, which made its debut performance in costumes with a Jungle Book theme.

The other marching bands were the Oisambistas carnival band, which led the procession, the Southern Jacobites Pipe Band, which played the bagpipes, and the Dolphin Marching Band from Poole, which wore black and white costumes and adorned its drums with blue lights.

The prize for best local float went to the Pig and Whistle pub in Melksham, while Trowbridge resident Averil Beresford used the occasion to raise the profile of the campaign to save Trowbridge Town Hall.

Trowbridge Carnival Committee chairman Maryrose Mantle said: “The town was alive with activity. it was bright, colourful, loud and a lot of fun for everyone involved.

“The youth band deserve a special mention. They put on a fantastic display along the carnival route and then they played us into the finish. This band are definitely worth supporting in Trowbridge.”

Organisers have thanked everyone who was involved in the event including the stewards and bucket collectors.

They are now looking toward next year’s event, which will take place on Saturday, October 20 2012.

Mrs Mantle said: “The carnival has such a huge appeal nowadays. We had around 13,000 people lining the streets this year, and one man had even came all the way from Bournemouth to see it.”