Thousands of visitors flocked to the seafront and beach yesterday for the first day of Weymouth Carnival.

The sun was shining with lots of activities and stalls available for residents and holidaymakers alike.

The highlights of the day were last night's torchlight procession, the beach sports, sand sculpting and live music from the Beach Live stage.

Food lovers were given a choice of cuisines at the food village next to Weymouth Pavilion and thrill seekers were in their element on the carnival’s many rides.

Carnival vice chairman Darren Brown said the first day of the carnival went very well.

He said: “The weather has been very good. I don’t think anyone has been disappointed this year. We always expect a few things to go wrong on the first day, but nothing has gone wrong. We are as ready as we will ever be for today.”

The first day of the carnival attracted visitors from around the country.

Cindy Lovejoy, pictured below, visited the carnival with her grandchildren Jessica and Jackson and their mother Rodina.

She said: “We didn’t go abroad this year and instead decided to come to Weymouth. We came down just for the carnival. It is always a great day out.”

Dorset Echo:

Tina Austin, a holidaymaker from Newbury said she has been coming to the carnival for years.

She said: “I came down one year and have been coming ever since. I used to come with my mum, I always have a good time.”

Sarah Hook said she visited the carnival to take part in the many activities with her daughter Grace.

She said: “We came to the carnival last year and decided to come back this year. We are planning to do some touch rugby and compete in the sandcastle competition. It has been lovely and the weather has been great.”

Volunteers Karen Figgitt and Gina Hartley, a former carnival queen, both pictured below, helped to run the beach sports at this year’s event.

Dorset Echo:

Karen said: “We have volunteered at the carnival for five years and always help to run the beach sports. We enjoy giving back, it is good to be involved with the community. You get a lot of fulfilment from watching the children enjoy themselves, and the weather has been great.”

Weymouth Carnival will continue today from 10am until 10.30pm.

Today's events:

Queen crowning at the New Vic 10am

Sandcastle competition 2pm

Barrel race 2.45pm

Battle of Britain Memorial Flight 3pm.

Red Arrows 5.30pm

Motorbikes and procession 6.30pm

Fireworks 9.30pm

Grand draw 10pm

Live music from 11am-10pm with performances from: Zumba Gold, Zumba with Lou Sams, JD Acoustic, Jukebox Junkies, Stacey Lou and Danny Adams, Hustle, Moonstone, Danny and the Champions of the World, Tequila Mockingbird, Regulation 9, Peacock Suit, The Dolmen (full show)