WELLINGTON carnival has kicked off the season with a fantastic display.

The carnival procession took place on Saturday night (September 29) throughout the town.

The event is part of the South Somerset Federation of Carnivals which also includes Taunton, Ilminster and Chard.

Dave Rylatt, chairman of the carnival committee, thanked everyone for their entries and urged residents not keen on the event to remember - it only happens one night a year.

He said: "This was the biggest procession we have managed to assemble for wellington since I have been involved with carnival. We can also claim that this is now a truly international event as our procession included two groups from France, and a group from our twin town Torres Vedras in Portugal; it is lovely to see share this unique Somerset experience with our visitors; many of which were visiting England for the first time.

"Many thanks to our few, but loyal band of volunteers, without which the event would not happen.

"An event of this size obviously causes a little inconvenience to a few people that are not interested in the event, but the increasing abuse our volunteers are receiving is not acceptable. More will be reported on this in future weeks. Carnival happens one day a year, the procession finished by 10pm, and all roads were re-opened ahead of timetable we had agreed with the local authorities.

"Our traditional count has been delayed due to number of foreign visitors we are still hosting.

"Hats off to the many entries who used their imagination to overcome strict musical licensing issues to accompany their magnificent floats."

Results:

Feature

1st Harlequin The Greatest Show

Tableau

1st Gemini P. T Barnum

Comic

1st One plus One Afro Circus

2nd Nunsford Nutters Battle of Portaloo

3rd Poppe Inne Itsy Bitsy

Youth

1st Juniors Reloaded Monsterz Cruize

Open

1st Mike Daniels PC M1KE DIWALI

2nd ZEM Festival of Light

3rd Generations Greatest Show on Earth

Adult walking

1st Spirit CC Can Can Can

2nd Judy Williams Shades of Autumn

3rd Phillip Hutter Olaf

Juvenile Walking

1st Nancy Stephenson Heart Princess

2nd Kai Newberry Little Chief

3rd Lorna Stephenson Candy Sweetness

Walking Pairs

1st Tizzys CC Just Another Carnival Entry

Walking Group

1st Wellington Pantomime Cinderella 2019

2nd Torres Vedras Carnival Flowers

3rd 1st Wellington Scouts Battle of Waterloo

Open

1st Xtreme Twisted Circus

2nd A&A Skullduggery II

3rd Wellington & Taunton Young Farmers Team Dirty Dairy

Trade

Oake Manor

Majorettes

1st Ilminster

2nd Merriott

2nd equal Les Batons de l'Estuaire (France)

3rd Lyme Regis Majorettes

3rd equal Chard Evolution