WEYMOUTH celebrated a fun-packed carnival day that brought a major boost to the town’s economy.

An estimated 100,000 people turned out for the annual extravaganza that was expanded this year to include a spectacular airshow.

Organisers described it as the biggest and best carnival ever.

The day started with student Lucy Compton being crowned Carnival Queen.

The former All Saints and Thomas Hardye School pupil was announced as the winner of the public vote on the beach stage.

She said: “I’ve had a fantastic time already and now I’ve got another whole year.”

Lucy, of Chapel Lane, Upwey, lead the procession and is now looking forward to representing the town in the run up to the Olympics next year.

Weymouth and Portland Mayor Graham Winter also took to the stage to welcome visitors to the town and said it was great to see so many people.

And carnival chairman Shaun Hennessy thanked the rest of the committee for their hard work over the last year.

X Factor stars Katie Waissel and Lloyd Daniels and girl band Oh My! later wowed the crowds on the beach.

Thousands turned out to hear them sing on the beach stage.

The spectacular air displays were crowned by the ever-popular headliners the Red Arrows who put in another breathtaking performance in the skies above the bay.

The procession was a dazzling display of community spirit as hundreds of people showed off the hard work they had put into their colourful floats. There were marching bands, baton twirlers and dozens of walkers in fancy dress to keep the crown entertained.

Procession co-ordinator Stuart Bainbridge said: “I’d guess about 100,000 people were in the town and on the Esplanade, it was absolutely packed and the procession was a great success. Everybody was very happy with things.”

Beach trader Tony Deadman said: “Weymouth Carnival is a great tradition.

“There’s such a good atmosphere and the people who put it on do a fantastic job.”

Steve Davies, events and promotions officer for Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, said the beach stage was a new innovation for carnival and had proved a big draw.