FANTASY was the theme for this year's Totton Carnival on Saturday - and it truly lived up to its name.

There were fairies, angels, Father Christmases, karate experts with fishing nets, Air Cadets in camouflage gear on board as the floats set off in some of the event's best weather for years on their two-mile route through the town.

And proving it was a true family event were the May family who stepped aboard the Cross Keys float.

The lorry was owned and driven by haulier Steve May from Millbrook and the fundraising crew on board included his son Nathan and daughter-in-law Leanne and four-month-old daughter Lydia.

"We're a family pub now and this is a great way of showing it," said landlady Chris Bullard, who organised the float and its Early Christmas theme.

Little Lydia slept part of the way, but when she opened her eyes she was given her first ever glimpse of Santa.

The event was also taken seriously by the New Inn, with their ladies and girls revelling in the roles of angels while the men and boys had to put up with being the slaves. Marchwood Sports and Social Club was an impressive third.

Sandy Beck School of Dancing topped the business class and Friends and Family, mainly from Abbotswood School, were winners of the youth and community section with the Girls' and Boys' Brigade's magic garden second and the combined Totton Conservative Club and Modcats' messages of 'money grows on trees' and 'anyone can fly' giving them third spot.

Debbie Wall, as Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary and her son Tim and his pals Matthew Cook and Scott Norman playing the parts of a wizard, fairy and jester, topped the small walking groups' chart.

Heading the big walking groups were the fairies of Calmore Brownies, followed by the camouflaged Air Cadets.

The judging operation was a true cross-party effort in which New Forest East's Conservative MP Doctor Julian Lewis teamed up with Totton Town Council's Liberal Democrat chairman Dave Russell.

"This is probably the most difficult job I do every year," said the MP, while the council chairman quipped: "It would probably be easier to let the people of the town have a vote on it."

But an unflustered Mrs Randall, who can recall carnivals of 50 years ago, said: "I can remember the days when a Mr Meacher and his pony headed the parade.

Heading it this time were carnival queen Amy Stuttard, 16 and her attendants Georgina Figgins, 13, and Jessica Hulbert, nine.