LIGHTS, camera, action was the cue for this year's movie themed parade at the Dorchester Carnival.

Visitors lined the streets to witness characters from Star Wars, the Lord of the Rings, Alice in Wonderland and many more travel along a new route.

See a video here

Crowds initially gathered in the wrong place, assuming the route hadn’t changed.

Volunteers and staff quickly directed people to spots where the parade was visible, which lasted for just over an hour.

This year’s floats headed through Brewery Square and along Weymouth Avenue before heading up Trinity Street, along Princes Street and back down Cornwall Road to the market car park.

No major incidents took place apart from Compassionate Dorset’s Land Rover breaking down near Iceland.

Carnival chairman John Palmer said this year's parade theme was decided after taking a vote and that he was pleased with the entries.

He said: "It's a fairly good turnout. The kids seem to be happy and that's what it's about.

"The clowns look brilliant and the majorettes are always very good."

Keir Francis, former chairman of Dorchester BID, was one of many spectators lining the streets.

He said: "It's a really good turnout. The crowd is as big as ever.

"It's a very important event for Dorchester and I'm really glad someone came forward to organise it."

A number of schools took part in the parade, including Westfield Arts College.

Teaching assistant Amanda Owens helped build a float in tribute to Noah's Ark whilst kids painted animal heads made out of card to wear.

She said: "We had so much rain lately I thought it would be ideal to have Noah's Ark."

Alice in Wonderland was a popular choice at this year's parade and was adopted among many groups, including Sunny Day Nursery in Dorchester.

Stacey Nash, deputy manager at the nursery, said: "There was a lot of talk. We only found out about the theme a week ago.

"We thought it was quite child oriented. All the children helped make the float."

Carnival celebrations kicked off yesterday with a funfair, Italian market plus the traditional four-legged pub race and Party in the Park in the Borough Gardens.

Don't miss Monday's Echo for a Dorchester Carnival picture special.