HUNDREDS turned out for Chepstow Carnival - which organisers say was bigger and better than last year.

Carnival queen, Stacey Hunt and her attendants, Layla Morgan and Savanna Skidmore, looked pretty with floral decorations on their float, and there were many floats, walking entrants and bands.

The judges were the mayor of Chepstow, Phil Hopson, the vice-president of Chepstow Lions, Ray Nash and Free Press reporter Jacqui Carroll.

The procession started at Bulwark and made its way through the town to the Castle Dell for the fete where there was lots of family entertainment.

Local Welsh darts champion John Burton threw darts to decide which charities would benefit from the carnival.

The event also saw a gymnastics display by the Kestrels Group, tug 'o' war, stalls and funfair.

Brian Pout, joint secretary of Chepstow Carnival Committee, said: "It has been hard with just a couple of us organising the carnival this year, but we wanted it to be a great community event and to raise the profile of Chepstow and get back to the old, traditional happy times."

Winners of the adult section were the Severn Bridge Social Club; Chepstow Town Football Club took the junior section prize; Chepstow Comprehensive School won the Challenge Cup; and Chepstow Lions were the winners of the walking entries.

Donations to the selected charities were: £500 to Trachea Osphogial Fistular (TOF's); £300 to Seven Area Rescue Association: £200 to Pembroke Special Needs.