GALLERY Thousands of people lined the streets of Stowmarket and the Trimleys as they celebrated the annual carnivals over the weekend.

THOUSANDS of people lined the streets of Stowmarket and the Trimleys as they celebrated the annual carnivals over the weekend.

Young and old flocked to Stowmarket's 47th carnival for three days of activities based at the Recreation Ground.

The event began in wet conditions on Friday evening with a bar and music before upwards of 10,000 people turned out for the carnival procession on Saturday afternoon.

Yesterday crowds were entertained by some of Stowmarket's brightest up-and-coming bands, Beechams Circus, a funfair and the town's very own version of hit show It's a Knockout.

This year's theme was “the way we were”, covering British life from the wartime up to the 60s.

One of the highlights of the parade was a steam engine from the Museum of East Anglian Life, which dated back to 1912.

The best floats were awarded a prize and the fun continued at the Recreation Ground with vintage cars on display and tunes of yesteryear playing out as part of the bygones theme.

Colin Flack, the chairman of the carnival committee, said: “This is Stowmarket's biggest event and it has been a great atmosphere again.

“There was a good selection of music and entertainment and we were really pleased with the quality of the lorries in the procession.”

More than 1,200 people also attended the Trimley Carnival on Saturday. Vintage cars led the carnival's longest parade as it made its way from Trimley St Mary to Trimley St Martin.

Attractions on the field at the sports and social club in Trimley St Martin, included a fairground, a karate demonstration, a disco, displays by the fire service and Level Two and majorettes, plus stalls and games, and refreshments.

Carnival chairman John Sills said: “It went exceptionally well. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. We made about £4,000, which will go to good causes in the villages.”