GALLERY It's the carnival season - and the traditional family events are proving just as popular as ever.

Richard Cornwell

IT'S the carnival season - and the traditional family events are proving just as popular as ever.

Evening Star photographers Andy Abbott and Lucy Taylor were at Trimley and Stowmarket at the weekend and this picture special shows the fantastic fun provided by the events, enjoyed by young and old who turned out in force to support them.

More photos can be seen on our website gallery at www.eveningstar.co.uk

For the organisers of the Trimley event it was a great triumph - and they are already planning for next year's big day.

Chairman John Sills, his wife Pat, and treasurer Sylvia Ellis organise the event, supported on the day by around 15 friends and family, some of whom travel from all over the country to help out.

“It is hard work and we really enjoy it - but it would be lovely to have a few more people on the committee to share the workload,” said Mr Sills.

“I think this year's event was one of the best ever.

“The community really loves the carnival and they always turn out to see it. The procession route was lined with people all the way and we estimate there were probably 1,200 on the sports and social club field. We hope to have raised around £4,000 for charity.”

Winner of the best float category was the Hand in Hand, and best turned out majorettes were the Poloz.

Attractions on the field included a fairground, karate demonstration, disco, displays by the fire service and Level Two and majorettes, plus stalls and games, and refreshments.

“Now we turn our attention to next year - there is no break,” said Mr Sills.

“We have already chosen the theme, Old and New, and now have to start booking the attractions and talking to the funfair people.”

At Stowmarket, carnival queen Louise Haynes, 16, chose the Salvation Army and Old Newton Under 5s playgroup as her charities for the street collection - which raised £400, double last year's total - while the committee will decide which good causes receive the rest of the profits.

- Did you enjoy the carnivals? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk