SUNSHINE, clowns and ice cream were the order of the day as Bishop's Waltham came together for its annual carnival.

An estimated 4,500 people attended the event on Saturday.

Under glorious sunshine, the show, which is more than 30 years old, featured around 70 stalls selling everything from jam to jewellery.

Organised by Bishop's Waltham Rotary Club, arena performances included a canine agility display and circus skills, while on the stage bands performed during the day.

The event had kicked off with a procession of around 100 people, featuring floats, majorettes, a horse-drawn decorated cart and bands under a theme of clowns, kids and cartoons, through the streets of Bishop's Waltham led by a motorcade of 50 classic cars.

The carnival winner was St Peter's Church.

Malcolm Wearn, carnival committee chairman, said the feedback had been excellent with comments that the procession was the best ever.

Mr Wearn said one comment was: “Funny how it used to be a really long procession and tiny show in the Place ground and now it's a shorter but more colourful procession and a massive show.”

Gate receipts were up 20 per cent, the number of stalls was up ten per cent with nearly a third new to the show. The overall profit was up 25 per cent on 2012.

All the proceeds will go to charities, with the emphasis on one local to Bishop's Waltham and the surrounding area.

Explaining its growing popularity, Mr Wearn said one reason may be that fondness for local events grows in times of austerity.

Bishop's Waltham Rotary Club has managed this event for nearly 25 years and sees it as a community event first and an opportunity for it to raise funds second.