T-SHIRTS, shorts and sun cream were the order of the day for an annual celebration of traditional seaside life.

Craig Robinson

T-SHIRTS, shorts and sun cream were the order of the day for an annual celebration of traditional seaside life.

The final day of Aldeburgh Carnival yesterday featured a lively procession through the coastal town.

Thousands of people lined the streets as lavishly decorated floats and cars made their way from Moot Hall accompanied by an array of dancers and those in fancy dress.

Carnival Queen Emma Smith led the parade, which this year was based on the theme “Around the World”, and featured a variety of colourful displays.

There were floats to mark 40 years since man walked on the moon, famous landmarks from the Statue of Liberty and Taj Mahal to Big Ben and the Great Wall of China, Aldeburgh's very own tribute to the Indian cinema of Bollywood, foods of the world including the town's famous fish and chips and constellations of the universe.

Meanwhile hundreds of people joined in the spirit of fancy dress which included costumes featuring everything from “guess the country” and flags of the world to Red Indians, Harry Potter, Hula dancers, clowns, cowboys, Flamenco dancers and Geisha girls.

There was also entertainment from the Suffolk School of Samba and dancing from the Knots of May and Kemp's Men.

The parade was followed in the evening by a Chinese lantern procession down to the beach and a spectacular firework display.

The procession marked the end of three days of celebration which also included traditional sideshows, a mini marathon, children's races and games, the egg boat race and swimming races.

Diana Biddlecombe, public relations officer for the event, said: “It has been wonderful. Everyone has enjoyed themselves and the sun has kept shining. It's been a great success.”

- For full results see tomorrow's EADT.

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