ORGANISERS have hailed a ‘fantastic’ Lyme Regis Carnival which featured one of the longest processions in memory.

Events took place over nine days with packed crowds coming down for the procession which lasted almost 90 minutes.

Andy Brown, chairman of the Lyme Regis Regatta and Carnival Committee said: “It was fantastic. The weather was very kind to us, it was extremely busy. We put together one of the longest processions we have ever seen in Lyme.”

Participants included marching bands and majorettes from all over the area as well as ‘huge’ numbers of community groups who took part.

Samba groups and cheerleaders were amongst the other groups helping to contribute to the spectacle of the procession.

Carnival events concluded on Sunday with the duck race, which was also one of the biggest ever seen in Lyme Regis.

Mr Brown praised the work of the carnival committee for putting on such a successful series of events. He said: “It was a superb week. We only have nine members of the committee that put the event together and it takes lots of hard work to put on an event of so many days.”

The carnival committee wanted to thank the businesses of Lyme Regis for helping to make it such a successful event.

Mr Brown added: “The businesses came together in a way that represents what carnival stands for.

“We had fun and it was a superb week, one that we hope to replicate next year.”

More than 100 ducks were decorated by the local businesses to try and crown a carnival queen duck which went to the Cosmic Duck designed by Bizley Arts. All the proceeds from the carnival week will be donated to local good causes.

Other carnival events included the torchlight procession and the popular fireworks display.