THOUSANDS of revellers lined Colchester’s sun-baked streets to enjoy the town’s revived carnival.

Organisers hailed Saturday’s event – which was resurrected last year – for bringing the people of Colchester together.

It saw crowds five-people deep in the high street to catch a glimpse of the parade, which ran from Abbey Fields through the town centre to Castle Park.

The procession attracted 46 entries comprising a host of charity, business and community groups and involved more than 1,000 people.

Either side of the mid-afternoon parade there was a family extravaganza held in Castle Park. It included a reportedly successful bid by Live Art Collective East to break the world record for the most people playing hopscotch at the same time. They claimed there was 390 playing, breaking the previous record of 369.

Amanda Isom, secretary of Colchester Ladies’ Circle, who co-organised the carnival with Colchester Round Table, said: “It was fantastic to see the people of Colchester come out. It’s a fund-raiser but it’s great to bring the people of Colchester together too.”

Colchester MP Sir Bob Russell said: “There was a great atmosphere. Clearly a lot of people had put a lot of effort into organising the carnival parade and events in Castle Park.

“I believe that the revamped carnival, after a gap of several years, is now firmly back on the town’s annual diary of events. Long may this continue!”