ORGANISERS of Dorchester Carnival have issued a big 'thank you' to everyone in the community that got behind this year's event.

The carnival celebrations got off to the perfect start when around 140 local school children with special educational needs got to enjoy the rides at Wynn's Fun Fair free of charge on Friday last week.

That evening the fun moved to the Borough Gardens with the ever popular Party in the Park and the four legged pub race.

On the Saturday people were able to enjoy the Anonymous Travelling Market in South Street with stalls and music in Brewery Square as well as vintage vehicles on display.

The main procession boasted more than 40 entries and was proceeded by a convoy of military vehicles.

The judges, who included Mayor of Dorchester Tim Harries, had a tough task in choosing the best floats in the procession but eventually came up with the winners.

Class winners were Westfield Arts College, Dorchester Community Nursery School and the Durnovarian Dames while the overall title went to Westfield Arts College for its Jack and the Beanstalk themed entry.

Funds raised from the procession will all be distributed back to local charities and organisations that took part.

Chair of the carnival committee Debs Thomas said: "At this time we don't know the total of monies raised but we hope that it might be a similar figure to last year."

She added: "Having never been involved in a carnival before, it has been a pleasure to work with such a great team of people from across the community in getting this event from paper to the gardens and roads."

Debs also thanked all the sponsors, businesses who contributed their services free of charge, marshals, volunteers and all the members of the public who supported the event including those that entered the procession.