CARNIVAL revellers enjoyed a trip back to childhood as they fondly recalled their favourite nursery rhymes during a stunning parade at Felixstowe.Little Miss Muffets, kings and queens, the Grand Old Duke of York, counting houses and parlours, Humpty Dumptys and blackbirds and pies were among the characters and creations on the floats.

CARNIVAL revellers enjoyed a trip back to childhood as they fondly recalled their favourite nursery rhymes during a stunning parade at Felixstowe.

Little Miss Muffets, kings and queens, the Grand Old Duke of York, counting houses and parlours, Humpty Dumptys and blackbirds and pies were among the characters and creations on the floats.

Huge crowds lined the streets to see the colourful cavalcade as it wound its way noisily through the town to the seafront.

The procession took more than an hour to pass by with more than 45 entries and dozens of fancy dress characters on the Nursery Rhymes theme.

Groups and organisations had put together a dazzling array of floats, each representing many hours' hard work with the theme providing plenty of scope for active imaginations.

Among the superb decorated lorries was the Grand Old Duke of York by regulars at the Fludyer Hotel, and Sing A Song of Sixpence scenes from both the Dolphin Hotel and Flying Lady.

Youngsters at Level2 had created Miss Muffet with a spider caught in a very elaborate web, and there were excellent floats from East Suffolk MIND and Blue Cross, with many floats focussing not just on one rhyme but many.

Other outstanding entries were Astrid the Carnworth Giant, and supporters and nurses from the Save Our Felixstowe Hospitals group pushing a bed alongside a vehicle decorated with Evening Star campaign posters.

The procession was led by the Suffolk School of Samba's band and dancers with Felixstowe Carnival Queen, 17-year-old Sarah Bixby and her princesses Charlotte Wright and Chloe Lenson, both ten, close behind.

The royal courts of Stowmarket and Trimley carnivals also took part, and there was added glamour, music and marching from the cheerleaders of Southernwood Stage School, and the majorette groups Technotronics, Galaxy Twirlers, Silver Spinners, Poloz and Illusions.

The weekend's activities were mainly centred on Langer Park, where there was a funfair, live bands and children's games, while an air show was held on the seafront with displays by an RAF Jaguar and Harrier jump-jet, and an air-sea rescue demonstration.

What did you think of Felixstowe Carnival? Write to Your Letters. Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail EveningStarLetters@eveningstar.co.uk