THOUSANDS of people lined Taunton’s streets on Saturday to watch the 44th electric night-time Carnival snake through town.

Several thousands of pounds were raised for three charities – Taunton’s Albemarle Centre, Clovermarle Stroke Club and Taunton Sea Cadets – from donations from the crowds.

Ilminster’s Gemini Carnival Club stole the show with their fantastic Robin Hood themed float ‘To The Trees’, winning the prestigious ‘Premier Award’ and taking first place in the tableau section.

It now seems almost certain that Gemini CC, who have made a successful return to Carnival after a number of problems in recent years, will take overall honours on the South Somerset Federation Circuit following earlier victories in the Wellington and Ilminster processions.

Carnival chairman John Lewis said: “It was an excellent night. We counted £2,500 in the collection tins, so when the bank has dealt with the bulk coinage off the lorries we’re looking at around £6,500.

“It’s not a record by any means, but the charities will benefit.

“It was also a relatively quiet night for the emergency services.”

Shirley Hector, manager at the Albemarle Centre, said: “People in wheelchairs enjoyed watching the Carnival on a large screen inside the centre.

“This year there was a record turnout and everyone had a great evening.”

Sgt Tony Crowter, of Taunton Police Station, said the Carnival passed off relatively peacefully, but confirmed there were a couple of “minor scuffles” and several people were arrested for public order offences.

The County Gazette video reporter was on hand to film one of the incidents - see the dramatic footage accompanying this story.

What did you think of this year's carnival? Share your thoughts by filling in the Your Say box below.

RESULTS

Premier Award – To the Trees, Gemini CC

Float with Best Costumes – Rolling on the River, Sid Vale CC

Best Local Entry - The Albemarle Pirates, The Albemarle Centre

Best Lorry Build Up – Incantation, Harlequin CC

Best Local Walking Entry – A Christmas Carol, Gensis Youth Theatre Group

Best Walking Entry in Procession – Alienation, A&A CC

Class 1 – Feature: 1st Incantation, Harlequin CC, 2nd Rolling on the River, Sid Vale CC, 3rd Icequerade, Eclipse CC.

Class 2 – Tableau: 1st To the Trees, Gemini, 2nd Enchanted Parade, Motiv8 CC, 3rd By the Seaside, St Peters CC.

Class 3 – Comic: 1st The Rex Factor, One + One CC, 2nd Nutsford Clean Up, Nutsford Nutters, 3rd Puppet on a String, Poppe Inn CC.

Class 4 – Children/Youth, Tableau or Feature (under 16) 1st Showboat, Tango Juvenile CC, 2nd Motion in the Ocean, Rascals CC.

Class 5 – Open: 1st Rhythm of the Night, 2nd Vegas, Zem CC, 3rd Dalek Disco, Nick & tntdisco.co.uk.

Class 6a – Single Walking: Adult 1st Alienation, A&A CC, 2nd Crystal Enchantment, Hannah Elswood, 3rd Madame Butterfly, Judy Williams.

Class 6b – Single Walking: Junenile 1st By Jiminy!, Mathew Parker, 2nd Cleopatra’s Charm, Rachel Cox, 3rd Flight of Fantasy, Hannah Jackson.

Class 7 – Pair Walking: 1st The Spirit of Choctaw, Brimgrovers CC, 2nd Clowin-in A Round, Joshua & Marcus Jackson, 3rd A Right Royal Affair, Parkers CC

Class 8 – Group on Foot: 1st Sweet Sugar Candyman, Xtreme CC, 2nd Space Bugs, Boogie Bass Bugs, 3rd St John Teenie Boppers – Neon Light, St John Ambulance Cadet Division.

Class 9 – Wheeled: Non motorised 1st Bat’er the Devil You Know, Roger Muspratt Hamilton, 2nd The Love Train, Generations CC, 3rd Formula Fraud, Cooke Family CC.

Class 10 – Tableau: Feature or Comic, under 50ft 1st Frite Nite, Wheddon Cross CC, 2nd Candyland, OSM VSU CC, 3rd Dr Who, Brushford Rabble.

Class 11 – Traders Display: 1st Pink Gem Limos, 2nd Cartridge World, 3rd Berrys Coaches.

Class 12 – Children/Youth: Walking 1st A Christmas Carol, Genesis Youth Theatre Group, 2nd Kids Rock, 1st/3rd Taunton Boys Brigade, 3rd Blackbrook Cowgirls, Blackbrook Guides.

Taunton Children’s Carnival 2009

Mayor’s Millenium Cup – Brownie Catwalk, 1st Galmington Brownies

Class 1 – Single, 5 years and under: 1st Princess, Madison Chugg.

Class 2 – Single, 6 – 14 years: 1st Quantock Bin Bag Ape, Todd Jeffery, 2nd Dracular, Haydon Devillee.

Class 3 – Pair, 5 years and under: 1st Oranges and Lemons, Rachel and Abigail Locke.

Class 4 – Pair, 6 – 14 years: 1st The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Amber and Connor Waddup.

Class 5 – Group, open to any age 1st The Wizard of Oz, The Little Darlings, 2nd Toy Box, Friends.

Class 6 – School & Youth Organisations, any age 1st Brownie Catwalk, 1st Galmington Brownies

Class 7 – Walking Wheeled, any age 1st The Love Train, Generations CC, 2nd Old Macdonalds Farm, Kingston St Mary Pre-School.