THOUSANDS of people turned out yesterday to enjoy the welcome summer sunshine and cheer the Pill Carnival parade.

A colourful procession of 12 floats, headed by the Prince of Wales Marching Band, and beaming 15-year-old carnival queen Charmaine Edwards, wound its way from the dock gates on Stephenson Street, along a crowded Commercial Road, bustling with a party atmosphere. Pill resident Margaret Riley, 69, of Portland Road, has been to every carnival.

"It brings the place to life, it's so lovely to see everybody out on the streets in the sunshine," she said.

For Nusrat Ali, of Temple Street, it's a chance to get the whole family out. "I've come since it started five years ago, and I get family coming over from all Newport to join in, its a lovely day," she said.

"It's a relief to get a bit of sunshine after all that rain," she added. Newport's mayor, Councillor Paul Cockeram, was on hand to judge the entries, awarding first prize to the Royal Oak pub's Little Mermaids float. Second place was scooped by the Pill Under Sevens football team, with another under water theme, while Ridgeway took third place with their version of Dodge City.

Delighted Donna Edwards, from Bassaleg, told the Argus she was proud of her carnival queen daughter.

"She wasn't expecting to be chosen at all, she just came down on the off-chance. It's been a lovely surprise," she said.

At the park off Capel Crescent, families enjoyed all the fun of the fair, and a variety of stalls and entertainment.