THOUSANDS lined the streets of Corfe Mullen for the 55th annual carnival. 

Corfe Mullen Carnival returned with a bang on Saturday, June 8 with the ever-popular afternoon procession. 

More than 25 groups, including clubs and individual entries, made their way through the village and onto the recreation ground in a sea of colour, noise, floats and fun. 

No carnival parade is complete without its carnival royalty and this year saw Princess Millie Arnold and Prince Toby Dugdale, accompanied by their attendants Ella Leonard and Alfie Thornton, lead the parade. 

Meanwhile, at the recreation ground, there were numerous stalls, including from the RNLI, BH Live, classic cars and alpacas from nearby Hope Farm. 

Model helicopters, Jonathan the Jester, Mr Merlin with Okey Dokey Dragon, scaled model railway rides, face painting and a Dutch musical barrel organ also made an appearance. 

Paul Harrison, vice chairman of the committee, said: “It looks like another bumper attendance at the recreation ground, I’m sure the visitors will have enjoyed the afternoon.  

“None of this would be possible without the volunteers who organise our events and the support we get from our sponsors and the public.  

“It’s the highlight of the Corfe Mullen calendar for so many people.” 

This year’s money raised will go towards the charities Friends of Lockyer’s, Wessex Heartbeat, Diverse Abilities, The Louis Ross Foundation and the Corfe Mullen Community First Responders. 

Married couple John and Pauline were sat outside with their grandchildren watching the parade pass by.

The 67-year-old wife said: "I always love the carnival procession; it's the highlight of the village. Everybody loves it and it brings the whole community together."