BRAINTREE became alive with colour as its annual carnival rolled across the streets of the town centre.

The carnival, now in its fifty third year, saw dozens of people don their most extravagant outfits for the theme of ‘Swinging Sixties’.

This year, the carnival raised money for the charity Sands, dedicated to help and support families who have suffered stillbirths.

Many local groups got involved in the celebrations, including the Braintree Brownies, BMX Club, Mencap, and Young Gi Do Martial Arts.

Martin Green, Chairman of the Carnival, thanked the many spectators who came out to support the processions and floats.

He said: “The weather managed to hold out for us and everyone seemed to flock in early to get a good taste of us before the football kicked off.

“We were very pleased with the amount of people that came out to support us and we can’t wait to find out how much we have raised.

“Every float and act had an incredible amount of work and effort put into it to make sure it captured the style and energy of the sixties era.

“Everyone who came seemed very happy and pleased with what they saw, some have told me it was even better than last year.”