THOUSANDS flocked to this year's Westhoughton Carnival, which was hailed as one of the best in its history.

The weather forecast predicted showers, but it was the sunshine and smiles that won the day yesterday.

The procession was also a success with schools, pubs and local companies dressing up and having fun and the crowds enjoyed everything from Punch and Judy to wannabe pop stars on the festival field.

Steve Bailey, who helped co-ordinate the event, said: "The sun was a godsend. About 5,000 people enjoyed the procession. It was one of the best carnivals Westhoughton has ever had."

And the families who popped down to Central Park to enjoy the entertainment on the field certainly agreed it had been a wonderful day.

For Susan Nicholas, from Leigh, decided to spend the afternoon in the sun with her three-year-old grandson, Alex Herschell, from Astley, in Wigan.

She said: "It has been such a good day. The parade was lovely and now we are going to see the Punch and Judy and go on the rides."

The carnival, which has been running for more than 25 years, began with the procession starting from the car park at Metal Box Way at 12 noon. It then paraded around the town for two hours, before finishing at Central Park.

There were Morris men, belly dancers and classic cars, as well as queens and princesses from other carnivals.

The winning float was from Westhoughton Parochial Primary School, which marked the Golden Jubilee and Commonwealth Games by celebrating people who had helped to change the world in the last 50 years -- including astronaut Neil Armstrong and the Beatles.

On the field the fun continued with bouncy castles, waltzers, beer tents, stalls, ice cream, motorbike stunt men, circus acts, sheepdogs and falcons.

People were also able to get up on stage at a radio roadshow and belt out their favourite hits.