Photo galleries from the past year

Sunny Worthing lived up to its name yesterday as thousands flocked to the town’s carnival. The crowds that packed both sides of the seafront road, Marine Parade, were bathed in warmth as they waited for the procession, organised by Worthing and West Worthing Rotary clubs, to begin. A few of the more daring revellers occupied themselves by braving some scary-looking fairground rides on the promenade and in Montague Place. Adventurous children played on a huge inflatable slide. Meanwhile, the carnival parade was congregating in Grand Avenue where competition judges scrutinised their floats, banners and costumes. It was with a screech of police sirens that the procession set off east towards Steyne Gardens. There a host of stalls and fun and games awaited the parade’s arrival. The Corps Of Drums Society called the tune, leading the march with resounding rhythms. Further down the line, these were echoed in a more flamboyant fashion by the musicians of Celebration Samba. The colourful mixture of fancy costumes and energetic dancing displays were intermingled with superbly decorated floats. Among the dancing groups were the Regnante School of Performing Arts, belly dancers from the Silk Road and Nefertiri and the Hollis School Of Dance And Drama. Some of those taking part were rewarded for their efforts with prizes presented at Steyne Gardens. The divers of the Ocean View Diving Club won best float category with their undersea world offering a tempting glimpse into the delights of scuba diving. Sussex Autistic Society’s brilliant Dr Who-themed float won first prize in its class and Worthing Boys’ Club were also prize winners. Worthing Mayor Noel Atkins said the carnival was “one of the most important events of the year”. He said: “I thought it was a magnificent parade. “I inspected them as they formed up and was overwhelmed by the number of people taking part. “I was also impressed to see so many people lining Marine Parade to watch the procession and the weather has been glorious. “I would like to thank all the participants for all of the effort they have put into the floats, stalls and costumes and to all the people of Worthing and visitors to the town for coming out and being such a marvellous audience.” The mayor rode in the procession in an open-top bus with Mark Stevens, the president of the West Worthing Rotary Club. Mr Stevens explained that all the money raised on the day would go to the charities that the two Rotary clubs will support during the next year. He said the clubs were always keen for new members to join their ranks and help support good causes and preserve events like the carnival for the future. John Rogers, the chairman of the carnival committee, said: “It has been an absolutely fantastic day. “The weather has been amazing and I have never seen so many people on the seafront for the carnival for many years.”