VIDEO Some of the biggest crowds in years turned out to celebrate Felixstowe's 75th carnival - bringing a touch of noisy and colourful Latin style to the resort.

By Richard Cornwell

SOME of the biggest crowds in years turned out to celebrate Felixstowe's 75th carnival - bringing a touch of noisy and colourful Latin style to the resort.

Seaside sunshine, blue skies and baking temperatures provided the perfect weather for the event, which attracted around 20,000 revellers to enjoy a weekend of family fun.

The procession - which had the theme Mardi Gras - took more than 90 minutes to wind its way through the town centre and down to the seafront, with thousands of appreciative spectators lining the route all the way.

Town crier Jimmy Wearne led the cavalcade down Hamilton Road, with Carnival Queen 16-year-old Jeyda Yilmz, her princesses Ela Merry, aged ten, and Rachael Ray, seven, and prince Nathan Chapman, six, close behind.

Groups, organisations and businesses had worked hard with some stunning decorated floats - many of them featuring the colour and spectacle of Mardi Gras with some dazzling costumes.

One of the most eye-catching was the Peewit Caravan Park's entry featuring a deep south New Orleans-style steamboat and revellers, while the Caretaker's House, Red Cross, Blue Cross, Cartridge Refill Centre, and Salvation Army were among many others who had worked hard.

Majorette troupes included Galaxy Twirlers, Silver Spinners, Poloz, Technotronics, and Limestar.

Attractions at Langer Park included a musical feast with leading Queen tribute band The Bohemians, The Glambusters, Badness, Storm and Beatles' tribute Words and Music on the bill.

The carnival, sponsored by the Evening Star, also featured a new children's entertainment area - with seven inflatables, and a games arena with giant Connect 4, Jenga, Twister, noughts and crosses, quoits, skittles, and others - Punch and Judy and magic shows, and a fairground.

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