Fairy tale characters from storybook and screen took over the streets of a seaside Suffolk town yesterday.

Aldeburgh resembled an enchanted wonderland for this year’s Disney-themed carnival parade – capping three days of fun on the coast.

Thousands of people lined the procession route from Moot Hall to the end of High Street yesterday afternoon.

The 73rd Aldeburgh Carnival then finished with a bang when fireworks followed music, dance, a lantern procession and a seafront fun fair, visited by Carnival Queen Amy Osborne and her attendants, Isabelle and Bo Buzzard.

Among characters on floats and decorated vehicles were a 1928 Mickey and Minnie Mouse, the Seven Dwarfs and Alice in Wonderland – all led by the sounds of samba and the British Imperial Military Band.

Yesterday’s events began with early morning swimming races, children’s land sports and a lifeboat launch – kick-starting the final day of carnival fun, which also included a mini marathon, lollipop hunt, sideshows and stalls.

Local residents and businesses got involved by taking part in this year’s decorated premises and homes competitions.

Publicity officer, Keith Batt said: “Everything went very nicely. We had a good turn out of floats and people in fancy dress.

“It’s difficult to tell if we had record numbers but we had a good crowd and the weather was fine.

“The Disney theme proved very popular. We had Dalmatians all over the place and the Pirates of the Caribbean were very impressive. There were so many to choose from.

“All our activities were well supported, including the mini marathon and swimming races – one of the remnants of the 19th century when it was more of a regatta than a carnival.”

Among the crowd at this year’s event was carnival secretary of 38 years, Judy Gowen, who was awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s New Year Honours list in January.