COLOURFUL floats, balloons and a splendid marching band transformed Titchfield for the village's annual carnival.

The traditional festival that first started in the 1880s proved as big a hit as ever with both young and old.

People packed the square and surrounding streets as a procession of 32 eye-catching floats weaved its way through the village.

The Titchfield Bonfire Boys had spent the best part of a year organising the event.

Chairman Julian Gibbs said: "It's gone extremely well the weather has been very kind to us and we have had a lot of floats."

One of those taking part was grandfather Derek McLane, 69, of Hewitt Road in Titchfield.

He built a float inspired by the teddy bears' picnic for his four grandchildren, Tiffany Walcroft, ten, and her three little sisters Chelsea, eight, Katrina, six, and Megan, three.

Mr McLane said: "I have spent three weeks making the trailer but it's been a real family effort as everyone has joined in to make the stencils and paint it.

A more-scary addition to the procession was a float entitled Nightmare on Bellfield - inspired by horror film Nightmare on Elm Street.

Carpenter Andy Strong, 40, of Bellfield and wife Tracey, 36, enlisted the support of children living in the road who dressed up as ghosts, skeletons and vampires.

Money raised will go to good causes such as the new Titchfield First Responders Scheme to offer first aid during emergencies.