CROWDS lined the streets for Braintree and Bocking carnival’s 54th year.

The theme of I Love London gave a wide scope for ideas for floats.

A Mary Poppins float from Braintree and District Mencap featured a dancing Mr Banks and Victorian chimney sweeps.

The float from 4th Braintree Scout Group saw saluting beefeaters and London buses.

There was even a beefeater playing an electric guitar on top of the float from the Boars Head pub.

There were 50 different entries for prizes.

The overall chairman’s cup, the top prize, was awarded to Great Bradford FC’s float.

After the carnival, the sunny weather brought about 8,000 people from to the carnival arena in Meadowside, which included the AA dance group and a majorette competition.

Visitors were treated to a gymnastic display by the Blue Falcons and later, a martial art display by the Ninja Tai Kwan Do club.

Martin Green, chairman of the Braintree and Bocking Carnival committee, said this year’s event was the “by far the best”.

He has been involved with the carnival for 37 years and this year and this was his ninth as chairman.

He said: “It was a fantastic procession. The carnival seemed to be a great event, everyone was enjoying it, and everyone was out having fun.

“The streets were lined with people watching the procession and the best thing about it was seeing all the different organisations involved.

“The whole community got together and that is what it is all about: seeing people come together as one and as a community.

“The weather was on our side, with strong sunshine.

“We put on a show but it was not without the help of everyone involved and this is what makes the carnival so unique to Braintree.

“Never before have I seen such a fantastic procession with a diverse mix of community groups and organisations around Braintree.

“But that it what makes Braintree unique and that is why this year’s carnival was by far the best we have seen yet.”