THE COLOUR and excitement of carnival returned to St Neots at the weekend as thousands of people lined the streets to watch the procession pass through the town. After a year away, St Neots Carnival made a comeback on Saturday with a of a dozen or so flo

THE COLOUR and excitement of carnival returned to St Neots at the weekend as thousands of people lined the streets to watch the procession pass through the town.

After a year away, St Neots Carnival made a comeback on Saturday with a of a dozen or so floats and walking processions whirling their way through the town centre before arriving at Regatta Meadow.

Best dance group, best clubs and societies and best overall winner was won by the Langdale Academy of Dance. The group's carnival spectacular included, Grace Stevens in a dress made of pages from the Hunts Post newspaper.

Best commercial float went to Westgate, best majorettes group was awarded to Diamonte Twirlers and best carnival court was won by Kettering.

Also on the Saturday was entertainment from the Heartsease folk dancers, The Riverside Theatre Company, Mid Life Crisis, Salabanzi and Will Makower and an illuminated boat procession.

On Sunday, the Riverside Festival took place with music from Nick Moore, Matt the Hat, Arabella, Melophobics, The Warning and Soul Weaver.

There was also a funfair, beer tent, firework display, a classic car and bike show and performances by the finalists and the winner of St Neots Let Us Entertain You talent competition.

St Neots mayor, Cllr Gordon Thorpe hailed the event as a huge success and thanked the people of the town for showing their support.

He said: "It was a thoroughly enjoyable weekend. The carnival was fantastic, the music was great and the fireworks were superb. There was so much for everyone to see and do and next year carnival and the festival will be back and there'll be even bigger and better.