EVERYONE from Madonna to walking milkshake bottles and disco divas took part in one of the South's longest-running carnivals last night.

Spectators turned out in force to the 120th Titchfield Carnival, with numbers close to 20,000 as the village near Fareham came alive with a funfair, processions and music.

The Daily Echo made a debut on its float, entitled Echoes of a Century and featuring characters who have shaped history.

Topical issues figured with The Whiteley Boys and Girls' float carrying two bumper-to-bumper cars and pleading for a relief road through the congested new town.

Two other floats with a topical point urged carnival-goers to eat British beef and support our farmers.

On a lighter note, spectators were encouraged to take up line dancing, eat out, go to karaoke nights and buy tickets for Ferneham Hall's panto.

The procession offered glamour, comedy, creativity and even religion.

The Rev Bill Day from St Peter's Church in the village and younger members of his flock scooped first place for the 2000 Years Since What float.

The vicar had his own reason for the sun shining on an event usually marred by bad weather.

"It's the first year we've been here for a long time," he said

Other winners included Harriett Bouchard who dressed as a house, Locks Heath Majorettes with their fishy Atlantic Antics float and Titchfield 1st Cubs and Beavers with their animal-packed Dr Dolittle entry.

The Abba tribute float, Titchfield's Tottie Table Top Dancer plus Angel's Delight and Gosport's St Vincent College 70s float all got the crowd's feet tapping.

Angel's Delight, a float organised by Louise Ord, starred a team of angels and devils, complete with a well-rehearsed jazzy dance number. The float sponsored Able Steel Fabrications came top in class B and won a £150 prize.

Not all prize winners were mobile. The Queen's Head pub won with its nursery rhyme theme - a tribute to Charlie and Shirley Bowman, both 66, who have been decorating premises for the carnival for years.

Mr Bowman, of Ransome Close, Titchfield, said: "We've won so many prizes it's unbelievable, but this year is our last."

Steam engines also played a part in the procession, one of them carrying a man showing his brickmaking skills from The Bursledon Brickworks.

Comperes Richard Trotman and Darren Vaughan guided carnival-goers through the show.

DJ Darren said: "So much work goes into this. It's great to see and I love being here."

Mother-of-two Julie Smith, who has been going to the carnival since 1966, proclaimed this year's a success, as did her sons Samuel, four, and Benjamin, nine.

She said: "We came for the afternoon procession and we're coming back again this evening for the fireworks."

And former mayor and Titchfield councillor Tessa Short said: "The weather's been great and people go to so much effort."

As well as plenty to see, there was plenty to eat and drink, from the village's many pubs and the numerous fast food vans that pitched up for the annual event.

And after munching burgers, hot dogs, candy floss and fizzy drinks, there was always the funfair.

See tomorrow's Daily Echo for a full round-up of results and more pictures.

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.