ORGANISERS of the two-day Felixstowe Carnival have spoken of their delight after thousands flocked to the seaside to enjoy an action-packed event.Live bands, an air show, a parade, funfair and fireworks all combined to entertain crowds, with early estimates suggesting it attracted more people than last year.

ORGANISERS of the two-day Felixstowe Carnival have spoken of their delight after thousands flocked to the seaside to enjoy an action-packed event.

Live bands, an air show, a parade, funfair and fireworks all combined to entertain crowds, with early estimates suggesting it attracted more people than last year.

Sandie Doran, carnival secretary, said putting on such an event was quite an achievement for an organising committee that only started work in May.

“”It went really well - absolutely superb,” she said.

“It does you a hell of a buzz to see people enjoying themselves. The hard work has paid off.”

Entertainment was provided in a range of forms, including ABBA Gold, Felixstowe rock band Allied Force, and young Felixstowe band Destiny Awaits.

One of the main highlights of Saturday was the procession, which set off from Beatrice Avenue at 3pm, followed by a funfair at Langer Park, starting from 4.30pm.

Carnival queen Catherine Twomey, 16, and her princesses Rebecca French and Sophie Wilson, both six, led the parade.

A succession of bands then took to the Langer Park stage throughout the evening, including Storm, a four-piece classic rock/indie band, before the night was finished off with a disco.

Yesterday saw an air show off the Felixstowe coast, with an RAF Hawk and a YAK 52 among the planes taking part.

During the afternoon families again flocked to a fun fair in Langer Park, where there was more musical entertainment on offer throughout the evening in the late night disco.

Mrs Doran said people had given very generously on the first day of the carnival, although this was not repeated on the Sunday, meaning the air show could be under threat next year.

She said: “We may well have to look at the air show. It seems people want to see but they don't want to pay for it. It's not a case that we want to make money from it, just cover our costs.”

She said the event cost about £2,000 to put on, although only a few hundred pounds were collected in buckets during the event.