LAST Friday, Borth high street was awash with colour as the annual carnival got underway.

Not an inch of pavement was visible as locals, holidaymakers and business owners united to celebrate the vibrant town’s annual event.

Out of an impressive turnout of 43 decorated houses, top prize was awarded to Maesteg for its Disney theme.

The key qualities looked for by the float judges were creativity, personality and a mixture of homemade and recycled materials.

A total of 13 floats entered, ranging from the bohemian magic of the Enchanted Forest of Cantref Gwaelod to the rocket-shaped Borth Korea.

However, the Friendship Inn’s cleverly designed Call the Midwife float was awarded first prize. The display was a fun combination of young and old sporting wigs and fake baby bumps, whilst promoting the value of our NHS.

The event culminated with the announcement of the winners at Uppingham Playing Fields, headed by this year’s carnival queen Toohey Everard-Walker.

Major winners in the individual categories followed a nautical theme, with prizes going to Jack Taylor as The Pirate (5-9 year old boys), Joshua Bissell as King Neptune of the Sea (10-15 boys) and Hazel Slater as The Crab (5-9 girls). This continued in the crowning of the walking group winners Under the Sea.

Other major winners included Elizabeth Speake as The Mermaid, Yousef Moshen as the Parrot, Eilidh Knight as the Flamingo and Chris Gray as Moana Tala.

Alongside reflecting Borth’s colour and creativity, the carnival plays a central role in raising money.

“Every year for five years, £9,000 has been put back into the community, including the church, the football team and the school,” said Carol Bainbridge, chair of Borth Community Council.

See more pictures from the carnival in this week’s Aberystwyth edition, on sale tomorrow