NEARLY 10,000 people are believed to have packed this year's Kidderminster Carnival celebrations, making the event the most popular ever, according to organisers. Ruth Morgan on St George's Community Centre's out of this world aliens float.

Helped by the weather, which defied forecasters' gloomy predictions, visitors enjoyed afternoon sunshine on Saturday with fairground rides, stalls and sideshows at Brinton Park doing brisk business. Ben Gulliver and father Tim from the Wyre Forest Childminders' float take a breather.

Collections on the day raised £1,391. The final figure - to go towards providing a new youth club for autistic children and to Headway Wyre Forest to help people with brain injuries - is likely to be in the region of £5,000. youngsters give the fairground in Brinton Park a whirl.

Carnival chairman Colin Hill said: "It went very well and we're very pleased.

"Attendance at Brinton Park was excellent, better than ever. I believe about 10,000 people turned out."

The prize for the best pedestrian child in the parade from the town to Brinton Park went to Jodie Candlin, who was dressed as Hagrid from the Harry Potter tales. The best adult was Mark James, dressed as Looby Loo. Best in show, 15-month-old rough collie Tigger basks in his success with owner Jean Kenny.

The best trolley float prize was won by Jodie Davies, who dressed as a fairy and the best pub and club float was from Yates' Wine Lodge.

The prize for the best youth float went to Stars of the Future with a Scooby Doo-themed display. Carina Mobley, dressed as a ghost, puts the frighteners on her sister Lauren, dressed as Scooby Doo.

The best commercial float was entered by Sealine with a pirate ship and the best children's float was created by Wyre Forest Childminders. Sealine staff on the company's pirate ship float.

The lucky programme prize of £75 was won by number 947 and £25 went to programme 500. The holders should contact Colin Hill on 01562 751634.