Thousands at 'biggest and best' Staffordshire carnival

With more than 50 stalls, a fun fair, a show ring packed with great acts, and the spectacular 2.5 mile float procession - it was a year to remember.

Families flocked to the spectacle with this year had around 10 floats - the largest organisers can remember.

Picking up first prize in the float awards was Landywood Playgroup, with Moat Hall Primary School and St Thomas More Primary School picking up second and third place respectively.

And the Great Wyrley Townswomen's Guild won the best dressed stall competition which had a suffragette theme.

Carnival secretary Pauline Kelsey said: "It has been absolutely brilliant was excellent - one of the largest we have had with a horse and cart from the Royal British Legion, MGs and other classic cars, two marching bands; the Chase Royals and Chase Drum Corps, we also had the Cannock Pipe Band, Great Wyrley Community Band, Bloxwich Gym Club and Dance Fusion.

"It is simply fantastic and there has been 54 stalls from local organisations and charities who I am sure have done very well out of the day.

"The carnival takes a lot of organising but it is the biggest and best of its kind anywhere in the region."

South Staffordshire MP Gavin Williamson was at the event and formed part of the judging team.

He said: "The procession was great and so difficult to judge that you just do not know who to choose.

"But the one job that is more difficult than that is judging the children's fancy dress competition - they are always so good you just want separate them.

"Great Wyrley Carnival is one of those events you simply do not want to miss.

"I have been talking to people who have come from all over the place, Perton, Codsall, Brewood, Walsall, and Lichfield.

"It is so vibrant and really does bring the community together in a great way.

"I was particularly impressed with the Great Wyrley Townswomen's Guild's stall. You won't find an MP who is going to oppose the suffragettes."

Bette Webb, chairman of the Great Wyrley Townswomen's Guild, said: "It has been a lovely day. We have had help from out husbands on the stall and a few weeks ago we went to the Houses of Parliament and got a Suffragette post card which we reproduced for our stall.

"The theme of the carnival is history and the Townswomen's guild originates from the suffragettes - so it seemed rather fitting. We are so pleased to have taken home the shield for best dressed stall."