THOUSANDS of people lined the streets of a Monmouthshire town today to celebrate its annual carnival.

Anthea Dewhurst, chairwoman of Monmouth carnival committee, said 200 people took part in the town’s carnival this afternoon.

Monmouth’s streets were packed out as colourful walkers and mini-floats headed from the leisure centre to the Monmouth Festival site at the bottom of the town.

They were led by motorcycle riders from the British Legion, followed behind by carnival queen Eloise Brown, 11, and her princess Katie Mapp, 9, both from the town, in a vintage Buick.

Ms Dewhurst said the whole event was in danger of not happening at all because of the cost of the traffic management, which meant the committee had to raise £3,500 from a number of sources including schools, businesses and Monmouth Festival, which took place on the same day.

“It’s been a great success,” she said. “It’s always a surprise, you never know whose going to turn up.”

Among those taking part were Noodles Cafe from Monmouth, who came equipped with a purpose built jungle hut which they and 13 children carried through the carnival route.

Cafe owner Buffy Sharpe, who put together the hut with employee Kelly Sheen, said: “We’ve been doing this for 20 years – it’s second nature.”

Monmouth Netball Club took part with their own Wild West mini-float.

Caroline Owens, player and fundraiser, said: “It’s the first time we’ve done this for a long time. We have a youth section as well and its something for the younger ones to get involved with.”