Thousands of people flocked to Dorchester on Saturday for the town’s revamped and renamed carnival - Midsummer Madness.

There were hundreds of participants in this year’s walking parade, including families, community groups, charities and school groups, all donning their best fancy dress.

See all our pictures from this year here.

The charity People First Dorset joined forces with the Volunteer Centre to create an enormous orange caterpillar, worn by several people. Other members of the team followed dressed as butterflies.

Project manager at People First Dorset Lisa Dixon said: “Our entry shows, when you start volunteering you start off being quiet and shy but you soon develop into a butterfly – a person who is involved and engaged in their community.”

She added the carnival was a great opportunity to bring people together.

Katie Gossling entered the procession with her husband and two sons who dressed as characters from Postman Pat.

She said it was the first time the family had come to Dorchester carnival but she thought it was ‘very impressive’.

A team from The Children’s Society dressed as Our House by the band Madness.

Rita Kennet from the society said: “We do it every year just to raise awareness of the society. It’s great to see so many people down here showing support.”

The sun managed to break through the cloud just in time as the participants lined up at West Walks to set off on the procession.

Mayor of Dorchester David Taylor said: “It’s fantastic – we’ve had an amazing turn out. There’s hundreds of people who have come out despite the rain to support us and it’s absolutely packed.”

Here's a quick clip of the evening's headline act at the Borough Gardens - The Unravelling Wilbury's.

The parade, which was led by members of the New Hardy Players and ceilidh band Tatterdemalion wound its way through to the marketplace and across to Brewery Square and South Street before returning to the gardens.

Following the procession, the mayor led a prize-giving for the best parade entries and fancy dress.

The Prince of Wales School took home two prizes, with pupils winning the best youth entry and staff winning the best adult fancy dress.

Best family entry went to Daisy’s Disciples, best group was awarded to Dorset Search and Rescue and best overall entry went to the Volunteer Centre.

Central Dorchester Cubs won best youth fancy dress while Carol and Vesta took home home the prize for ‘Wackiest Wheels’.

Following the prize-giving, Cllr Taylor said: “As mayor I am incredibly proud that everyone has come out to support Dorchester’s day. We all had a very good time. I thank the people of Dorset – thank you for making it a tremendous day.”

Brewery Square was alive throughout the day with music from Elijah Wolf, Nina Garcia and Danny Adams while Dorchester ‘Pop Club’, the Heron Band and The Unravelling Willbury’s rounded off the celebrations at the Borough Gardens.