BRIDGWATER Carnival once again showcased the magnificent talents of Bridgwater and produced a spellbinding display for the thousands of visitors who descended on the town for its flagship event.

While the carnival atmosphere was fantastic, it was a carnival not without its difficulties.

It was heartbreak for two of Bridgwater's biggest carnival clubs, with Renegades CC's cart suffering a breakdown near the railway bridge close to the start of the procession which caused delays of close to two hours as the vehicle had to be recovered.

Meanwhile perennial favourites Gremlins CC unfortunately saw their generator fail meaning their carts lights were out and moving parts out of action but put on a brave face and entertained the crowds throughout the route.

There was jubilation for Marketeers CC meanwhile who won the prestigious Ker Cup with their amazing 'Consider Yourself (Dickensian) cart.

Despite the difficulties, Carnival remained a truly magical event with people travelling from far and wide to view and even join the carnival.

The evening was rounded off with the incredible - and unique to Bridgwater - squibbing fireworks display which had the crowds in awe.

Speaking before the results were announced, carnival president Malcolm Cattle said: "I've never been more proud to be part of Carnival family, you've all been superb. Thank you."

See the results from Bridgwater Carnival 2018 below and peruse our gallery of stunning pictures from the procession taken by Mercury photographer Steve Richardson.

There are also plenty of videos available to watch on the Bridgwater Mercury Facebook page.

Bridgwater Carnival Results 2018

Class 2 and 4

Feature and Tableaux Cart Local

1. Consider Yourself (Dickensian) - Marketeers CC

2. Barnum's Parade - Ramblers CC

3. Gettysburg - Wills CC

4. Fiesta De Los Toros - Vagabonds CC

5. Outlaw's Creek - Lime Kiln CC

6. Voodoo Hack - British Flag CC

7. Storm - Griffens CC

8. Amazonia - Cavaliers CC

9. Frozen Kingdom - Centurions CC

10. Surf's Up - Crusaders CC

11. Sing, Sing, Sing - YMCA CC

12. Highway to Hell- Gremlins CC

13. Ganesh's Journey Home - Renegades CC

Class 3

Feature Cart Open

1. The Greatest Show - Harlequin CC

2. Sergeant De Waterloo/Master of the House - Masqueraders CC

3. Sheng Xiao (Chinese New Year) - Wick CC

4. Wonderland - Westonzoyland CC

5. Captain Morgan's Revenge - Globe CC

6. The Windmill Club (Moulin Rouge) - Mendip Vale CC

7. Glacies Bellator - Cobra CC

8. Wonderland - Aliens CC

9. Back To The 80s - Shambles CC

10. Mhusika - Eclipse CC

11. Last Ride -Otters CC

12. Engine Room- Gorgons CC

13. Bollywood - Sid Vale CC

14. Off To See The Wizard - Budleigh Salterton CC

15. Dead Inside - Highwayman CC

16. Nameste India - Toppers CC

Class 1

Tableaux Cart Open

1. Gettysburg - Wills CC

2. One for the Road - Huckyduck CC

3. PT Barnum - Gemini CC

4. No Man's Land - King William CC

5. Day of the Dead - Pentathlon CC

6. Chronicles on Indiana - Oasis CC

7. Frozen Kingdom - Centurion CC

Class 5

Comic Feature Cart

1. Where's Wee Willy - Newmarket CC

2. Battle of Portaloo - Nunsford Nutters

3. Afro Circus - One + One CC

4. I Want To Be A Superhero - Just George's CC

5. Laughing Gnomes - Mardons CC

6. E.T on Tour - Luckington CC

7. Travelling Circus - Storm CC

Class 6

Juvenile Cart

1. Graffiti #Villains - Marina Sydenham JCC

2. The Spook Returns - Hillview JCC

3. Be Our Guest - South Brent CC

Class 7

Groups of Masqueraders Adult

1. Twisted Circus - Xtreme CC

2. The Wilfs Present Ballet 'Awful' at 30 - Wilfs CC

3. Gypsy Flair - Bridgwater Belles

Class 8

Groups of Masqueraders Juvenile

1. Wild in Africa - Chameleons

2. Umbrella - Rhythym Fever CC

3. Sharks Up - Crusaders Cubs

Class 9

Groups of Masqueraders (3-7)

1. Bedouin - Smandy's CC

2. Hen Party - A.B.C

3. Shinto - Just Peachy CC

Class 10

Pairs

1. Skulduggery - A&A CC

2. Drum Major and Minor - The Shepherd Family CC

3. This Is Us - Dee Gees CC

Class 11

Single Masquerader Adult

1 Intergalatic Circus of Wonder - The Academy of Carnival

2. Winter Wizardry - The Academy of Carnival

3. Once Upon A Storytime - Dave Arney

Class 12

Single Masquerader Juvenile

1. The Queen - Samvantra Juniors

2. The Greatest 'Crowman' - Ethan Pickersgill

3. The Mad Scientist - Izzy Wheeler

Class 13

Best Decorated Towing Vehicle

The Greatest Show - Harlequin CC

Class 14

Best Dressed Towing Vehicle Driver

Joint Winners:

Otters CC and Marketeers CC

Class 15

Entries with disabilities

PC M1ke by The Academy of Carnival