A TASTE of Rio's carnival fever swept into Clacton this weekend

Kate McGrath

A TASTE of Rio's carnival fever swept into Clacton this weekend

Shrek, Alice in Wonderland and a crew from Wacky Races were amongst those delighting crowds along the seafront on Saturday during the annual event.

The carnival procession, which took the theme of cartoons and set off from West Road car park at 6pm, launches a week of events, including a donkey derby, egg throwing, sandcastle competition and a fireworks display.

Yesterday, the sportsground in Gainsford Avenue came alive with live music and entertainment, and included a classic car show and a variety of stalls.

Nicola Freeman, press officer for the events, said: “The carnival really was superb.

“We were all so delighted with the wonderful sunshine. In the past we have often had rain so to have the sun shine on us was just brilliant.

“Thousands of people came along to join in the fun.”

The carnival raised just over �5,000 for this year's main charity Talkwood Recycling, a local project run by Tendring Mental Health Support, who need a fork-lift truck.

The week's events will finish with a quiz night at St James' church hall, Tower Road, at 8pm on Friday.

Details of every event can be found at www.clactoncarnival.org.uk.