MORE than 35,000 people turned out to celebrate Colchester's first carnival in more than a decade.

Crowds lined the 2.5 mile route that started from the Goojerat Barracks on Saturday evening.

It kicked off to a musical start when bang on 6pm the Colchester Scout Band led the way, with drums crashing and trumpets blowing.

They were followed by a string of community organisations and groups with paraders dressed in everything from clown outfits to period costumes.

In traditional carnival style, a host of majorettes were waving their batons.

People used not only their feet and floats to proceed around the circular route, but a unicycle and rollerskates were out in force too.

The queen of Colchester’s history - Boudica - was cheered as she shouted to onlookers, “Colchester carnival is back” - and she was not the only royalty to attract plenty of attention.

Colchester’s carnival queen, Joanna Peagram, 22 - who replaced Sharnie-May Allwright at the last minute amid claims she was “not a good role model”- was all smiles as she waved to young and old in the crowds.

Organisers thanked the crowds fur turning out. PICTURE SPECIAL IN MONDAY'S GAZETTE