THE weather could not have been more perfect for this year's Caribbean Carnival on Bank Holiday Monday.

The mood hit fever pitch as more than 25,000 funseekers descended on Preston's Moor Park for the annual parade through the streets and party activities on the park.

This year's 29th carnival was themed 'Africa to Preston -- from then until now' and up to 15 bands took part in the procession.

For the first time inflatables were included in the colourful procession with one band parading a 20ft blow-up star!

But a fabulous float themed The King and I kicked off the procession which also included a Bulgarian youth group, Lancashire Youth Dance and a percussion group called Ablaze.

Ron Clarke, chairman of the Caribbean Carnival, said the feedback from the public after visiting this year's event was the best response he'd received in the last ten years.

He said: "The carnival went brilliantly.

"It was much better than anticipated and because the weather was so nice more people came out than we expected would."