Thunderstorms failed to threaten Braintree's carnival spirit as the rain passed over in time for this year's procession.

The sun shone as about 40 floats paraded through the town centre from Lakes Road to Meadowside yesterday for the 51st carnival.

Carnival queen Chloe Dodds and princesses Jamie Watts and Olivia Tubbs led the procession.

School days was this year's theme, with carnival entrants dressed in school uniforms and some as characters from the iconic Grease films.

* See Thursday's Times for full story and pictures.