One of the highlight's of the town's calendar - the carnival - returns to Bridport next week, with organisers planning the best yet.

We're taking a look back at the carnival of 1994, which filled the streets of Bridport 25 years ago.

Floats gathered at the old Safeway store, now Morrisons, and made their way through the town as carnival revellers applauded and cheered the marching bands, floats and colourful characters.

The procession was led by the Ringwood Pipe Band, followed by the Miss Bridport float containing Sarah Taylor and attendants Amy Hull and Sarah Woolcott, as well as the carnival's first Miss Teenager Alison Lodder and Mini Miss Bridport Laura Hawkins, with her attendants Emmy Elsmore and Lisa Bunyan.

It was recorded as first time double triumph for Bradford Building Supplies, who won the novice class and were judged as the best local entry. Their Flinstones float included a crew of 12 Bedrock characters.

The 1st Bridport Brownies' Oranges and Lemons, complete with wooden church, candle and axe-man, was judged best overall float and sponsors J.C. and R.H. Palmer's favourite entry was Bride Valley Cubs and Beavers' Where's Wally float.

It was also the first year the carnival didn't have any horse-drawn entries, but crowds were kept entertained by Bridport Round Table's Dick Turpin Challenge as a crew of 11 dark clad horsemen performing a series of comic formations.

Bridport Carnival returns on Saturday, August 17, with the procession starting in West Road from 7pm, and people are being encouraged to get involved with this year's event and show their community spirit.

A spokesperson for the Bridport Carnival Committee said: "Are you up for a bit of fun, want to socialise with others and like to put a smile on other people's faces, then why not join in with this year's carnival?

"It is free to enter - with a chance of winning a cash prize - and it is all about community, put on by the community for the community.

"You can show how artistic, creative, musical, silly or competitive you are and advertise your club, group or business to prospective clients or members. It's a brilliant free networking event.

"If you have an upcoming event or performance, it's a great way of letting people know and it doesn't have to be a group or on a float - although insurance does not usually cost any extra, just let your provider know.

"Bridport is a quirky, sociable, eclectic mix of people and groups so let's see it reflected in our community carnival. Support the place you choose to live in by participating.

"Lets challenge our talented tradesmen in the Bridport area - who can create the most unusual entry - let's challenge our schools to participate. Come on clubs and groups, show the rest of us you exist.

"Whatever happened to the pub entries? Let's see which pub currently has the liveliest customers. Come on everyone, get involved."

In the lead-up to the procession there is a whole host of events, including a carnival quiz on August 13 at The Ropemakers pub from 7.30pm, bingo at the Beehive Football Club at 7.30pm on August 14, darts and skittles at the football club on August 16 from 7.30pm and events throughout the day on the Saturday.

The popular torchlight procession will start at Bucky Doo Square on the Sunday, with torches on sale from 6pm to 8.45pm with the procession moving off to West Bay at 9pm.

For entry forms to take part in the carnival and for more information such as road closures and events, visit bridportcarnival.co.uk

Photos were taken by Ron Boshier.