A REPLICA of Newport's medieval ship, accompanied by an African Samburu group in full costume, sailed through the city on Saturday.

The amazing sight signalled the start of the 7th Maindee festival, which organisers say was the biggest ever, attracting around 6,000 visitors.

Up to 700 people in costume paraded from Church Road to Rodney Parade where a myriad of performers entertained the crowds.

Volunteers worked for two months to create the giant replica of the medieval ship, which was described as the archaeological find of the century when it was dug up on the banks of the Usk last year.

Festival association chairman John Hallam said: "The event has grown every year since we started and now it's really amazing."

Twenty young people from Kenya's Samburu tribe took part in the event - it was the first time they have left their native country and they symbolised the spirit of the festival.

Tomorrow the festival hosts a faith day to encourage people of different religious groups to come together. The event starts at 4pm at Community House, Eaton Road.

For more information or to get involved in next year's festival call 01633 762155 or visit info@maindee.org.

* BETTWS enjoyed its most successful carnival on Saturday, with hundreds lining the route of the parade.

The Argus-sponsored event was the culmination of months of planning by organisers and local groups, who built floats and made colourful costumes.

Each of the 12 floats had a different theme, ranging from the local library's spooky stories to the Link community group's fairy tales.

Children from all over the area took part, singing, dancing, and in the case of the cowboy- themed float, squirting water-pistols. Not that anyone minded getting wet as temperatures soared on a gloriously sunny Saturday.

Carnival Queen Jemma Gough, 16, headed the parade in a horse-drawn carriage, accompanied by her ten-year-old prince, Ryan Tozer.

Newport's mayor, Councillor Ray Truman, judged the floats.

The Prince of Wales Marching Band and vintage cars joined the floats to parade down Bettws Hill to the high school's playing-fields.

Stalls and entertainment kept the crowds happy all afternoon, and Newport West's MP, Paul Flynn, and AM Rosemary Butler agreed that the day was a big success.

* HUNDREDS of revellers packed turned out on Saturday for the first day of the Abergavenny and District Carnival.

In the biggest parade for ten years, children waved down at the crowds from floats that were filled with imagination, music and colour including 'Disney on Parade' from the Dan-y-Der estate, 'Rock Star Heaven' from the Mayz Musik group, and the 'Fab Four' Beatles' float from the Somerset Arms pub.

The parade went from Mill Street to Bailey Park where visitors were treated to a jazz band competition, a rescue display by Longtown Mountain Rescue Team, dancing from the Crickhowell Street Dance Club and a giant inflatable assault course among other attractions.

Jan Marsh, manager of the Hen and Chickens pub, said: "The carnival is so important for the town and we all get something out of it, so we need to pull together to make it a success."

* THOUSANDS turned out to enjoy Pontypool carnival on Saturday.

Before the parade, which stretched the length of Pontypool town centre and included the carnival queen, Louise Jenkins, 16, eight floats, numerous walking entries and a range of American cars, the mayor of Torfaen Doug Davies judged the entries.

Mr Davies said: "All the floats were first class. It was hard to judge the winners. They obviously put a tremendous amount of effort into making the floats."

The winning children's float was Torfaen Opportunity Group which depicted scenes from the Little Mermaid.

The adult section was won by the atmospheric Bridgend Inn entry - Ladies Ascot Day Past and Present.

The walking entry was won by the Tiger Toddler Club with their colourful display entitled 'At The Bottom Of The Garden'.

Yasmin Arthur and her mother Sara, of Hillside Drive, Pontypool, were part of the winning walking entry.

After the parade the crowds were entertained in the carnival arena next to the leisure centre by a slack rope walker and a comedy balloon act and dancing displays by the Amanda Ellis Street Dancers.