Clowns, mermaids, a family of dinosaurs and a walking tray of cheese, chips and gravy made sure this year’s Peel Carnival, held last Sunday, was a memorable one.

Dominaing the colourful parade was a huge statue of Manannan, created by Scicilian artist Pietro Ragusa, which stood at over five metres tall.

There was an unoffical Alice in Wonderland theme for the winning fancy dress acts, with the prize for best overall costume going to Max Walker, eight, dressed as the Mad Hatter, and the top prize for best decorated float going to Gavin Dillon and Horizon scaffolding for their Mad Hatter’s tea party on the back of a truck.

The ’Muffet’s tuffet’ prize for the best family ensemble went to a family of dinosaurs.

Organiser Tony Faragher said that the day went better than expected, given the pessimistic weather forecast.

’we were very lucky with the weather,’ said Tony.

’By the sounds of it, it was raining everywhere but Peel at the weekend.

’I think people were put off a bit, and maybe our numbers were down a little bit on last year, but everyone seemed to be having a great time.

’The statue was amazing, and was a big hit with people. It took a lot of building and assembling, but it certainly made a lasting impression on people.’