TAUNTON'S streets were lined with children and adults for the town's dazzling annual carnival in October 2007.

While it was a real winner, the same couldn't be said of England's rugby team 16 years ago.

The final of the Rugby World Cup clashed with Taunton Carnival - and the match saw England beaten by South Africa.

Kicking off at 7pm, the walking entries and decorated floats began winding their way through the town and although crowds were thought to be slightly down on the previous year, it was hardly noticeable.

Music, fabulous costumes and energetic dance routines made for an entertaining evening and the weather couldn’t have been better, with a mild evening keeping the rain at bay.

Everyone was in high spirits and the procession, sponsored by ROK, went round without a hitch.

Collecting floats raised over £2,300.

Taking away the Alderman FC Spear Cup for the best overall, Phoenix CC from Broadclyst, Devon, impressed with their Dragonia float.

The chairman of Taunton Carnival Committee, John Lewis, told the County Gazette: “The weather was excellent and the atmosphere wonderful.

“Some thought the annual spectacle would suffer badly because of England's appearance on the rugby pitch – not so.

"The number of families lining the route was as big as ever.”

The Licensed Victuallers’ Trophy for the best local entry went to Taunton's very own New Beginning CC, with their tableau of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

They also clinched the best local tableau, picking up the Taunton 1888 Cup.

The best local walking entry, winning the Taunton Times Trophy, went to Sisters CC of Taunton, with their Citrus Celebration.

Earlier on in the day, the Children’s Carnival was equally as colourful.

Two local primary schools, a preschool, Cubs, Brownies and walking entries all entered into the spirit of the event.

First Galmington Brownies, Priorswood and Norton Fitzwarren Primary Schools and Priorswood PreSchool all took part in the carnival, as well as a live parrot called Maddison.

The event was judged by the Mayor and Mayoress of Taunton Deane, Cllr Ken and Mary Hayward, and the procession led from Deane House.

The Mayor’s Millennium Trophy went to Priorswood Pre-School for Alice in Wonderland.