Witham crowned itself the Carnival Comeback King at its super sunshine spectacular.

Hundreds of people lined the streets for the carnival procession through the town on Saturday.

Children joined in the fun, tossing coins into charity collectors' buckets and waving giant balloons as the floats passed by.

The parade was led by newly-crowned Witham Carnival Queen Lisa Winfield and princesses Carli Victor, 14, and Kayleigh Fitch, 11.

Visiting carnival queens from Coggeshall, Chelmsford, Ashington, Tiptree, Burnham, Clacton, Collier Row and Maldon were guests of honour in the colourful procession.

Majorettes and marching bands from across Essex added to the party atmosphere.

Marchers were even sprayed with water to stop them fainting in the scorching weather which brought out bumper crowds.

The Royal British Legion joined in the fun on their "Grandad's Army" float as old soldiers in battledress advanced through the streets with the legendary warning: "They don't like it up 'em."

And Witham Round Table turned themselves into the Red Barrows display team, strapping on flying goggles as they weaved in formation with their converted wheelbarrows.

Town mayor Tom Hewitt told the crowds: "Today has been superb. I was very pleased. People had been talking it down a bit but the weather was great.

"There were more floats than many people thought there were going to be, and considering the doom and gloom about it not going to happen, it really came off. It was a fantastic day."

Mr Hewitt said it was vital for people to work together to secure the carnival's long-term future.

"Last year wasn't a great success and that made it an uphill struggle. But as far as the public were concerned this was a triumph and that gives the organisers something to build on for the future."

MP Alan Hurst said it was "a great day for Witham".

Reward for missing bracelet

Witham mayor Tom Hewitt has offered a £50 reward for the return of his wife's bracelet.

The gold and emerald bracelet slipped off her wrist during the carnival procession somewhere in Witham High Street.

Anyone who finds the bracelet should hand it in to Witham police station.

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