An annual week-long carnival celebration got off to a fairy-tale start over the weekend.

Clacton Carnival returned with its traditional opening procession from West Road car park, along the seafront to Victoria Road.

The carnival queen and her princesses led 59 entries honouring the fairy-tale theme, including floats from Robbie Rascals, Tesco, Clacton Lions Club, Dream 100, Ultra Violet Hair and Tanning Salon, and the carnival’s main local charity for this year, Clacton RNLI.

Carnival committee member Ginette May said: “Lots of people came along. The pavements were full. It was brilliant to see such a good turn-out.”

Procession organiser Alun Primmer said: “Thank you to everyone who came along to support the procession and to everyone who gave up their time and took part in it and also to all the marshals. It has been a fantastic event.”

The event continued yesterday with a fun run and a family fun day, which included a dog display, birds of prey, dance acts and classic cars at Gainsford Avenue sports ground.

There are more events throughout the week, with a donkey derby this evening, a bowling competition on the pier tomorrow, a sand castle competition and an egg-throwing contest at West Beach on Wednesday, fireworks and sideshows back at the sports ground on Thursday and a children’s fancy dress competition followed by a quiz night at St James Church Hall on Friday.

For a full list of events, visit clactoncarnival.org.