SHALDON Water Carnival never fails to provide spectacle, laughs and thrills – and this year was no exception.

Thousands enjoyed the spectacle on Saturday. The village was packed, and hundreds more gathered on vantage points on either side of the estuary to watch the highlight – the procession of decorated boats.

It is believed to be the only event of its kind in the land, and the 51st event proved that enthusiasm among the organisers and the public has not waned.

The fun was officially opened by the royal party in the morning, and the beach was packed with children creating vegetables out of sand in the sand sculpture competition, before racing to fill their buckets with as many crabs as they could catch.

On another part of the beach, local chefs demonstrated their skills in the cookery tent; water sloshed all over the place in the slide-a-pint challenge; kids bounced in the castle; pillows were bashed in the pillow fight, and magic was created by Alan Austin in his show for the youngsters.

The quality and imagination of the costumes in the children's fancy dress competition was superb, and all the entrants fully deserved the cheers they received as they paraded through the village down to the beach.

The decorated boats provided a spectacular treat, especially Legoland Shaldon, Shaldon's Ga Ga, and the brilliant costumes of Gnomeo and Juliet.

Early evening saw the kids dancing the Hokey Cokey on the green, while parents had a chance to relax with a drink and a burger from the barbecue.

Although the heavens opened, it did not dampen the lively atmosphere as the Johnsons Blues Explosion took up their position on stage and entertained until late in the evening.

'Everybody had a great time, which is exactly what we were aiming for,' said Sally Brewer, the carnival chairman.

'A big thank to everybody who came to watch, take part and support the event, and the many helpers who ensured that the carnival was a resounding success.'

l RESULT IN OUR DIGITAL EDITION