FEARS that Ottery's carnival would fall victim to the devastation which hit the town last week were washed away by a wave of enthusiasm on Saturday.

FEARS that Ottery's carnival would fall victim to the devastation which hit the town last week were washed away by a wave of enthusiasm on Saturday.

Hundreds of people endured more downpours to line the route and cheer on a colourful procession, less than 48 hours after the affects of freak hail and rain had cast major doubt over the event.

While crowds and entries were depleted compared to previous years, carnival committee secretary Steve Pearcy said one particular sight in a hard-hit Ottery street made his evening.

He said: "We did debate whether we should or shouldn't go ahead. The floats went past Victoria Terrace, people were sitting out there smiling and waving and that justified it for me.

"The town needed a boost and a chance for everyone to rally together and enjoy themselves after the flooding.

"The crowds were a little bit sparse, but we had a really good turn out in the town. The weather was horrendous but we made the best of it. There was a fantastic atmosphere and everybody was really up for having a good time.

"The participants in the procession were brilliant and made every effort to support us.

"The only change we had to make to the carnival is the majorette troupes which we had to cancel. We had seven troupes booked in but having that many people down in that area was not practical because of the mud and debris left by the floods."

The evening's festivities followed a strong afternoon turnout in The Institute as Mayor Glyn Dobson crowned the carnival royalty and children enjoyed a fancy dress competition.

Debbie Jones, 39, from Surrey visited Ottery with her husband and daughter Sarah,seven, to sample a special week in the town's calendar.

She said: "What happened on Thursday was pretty unbelievable, but we are having such a great time. This afternoon was great and all the kids looked like they were having a great time. The atmosphere and turnout made it seem like nothing has happened at all."

The soggy event marked the culmination of this year's East Devon carnival circuit. Judging results are as follows:

Class A - Open: 1 Mickey's Express, of Sidvale Carnival Club, 2 Medieval Legend, of Eclipse Carnival Club, 3 Halloween, of Axminster Young Farmers' Club.

Class AA - Tableau class: 1 Ride of the Valkyries, of Ashburton Stannery Carnival Club, 2 Campbell Whip Green, of New Beginnings Carnival Club.

Humorous Class: 1 Nymphos Probe Uranus, of Nympho Carnival Club, 2 Hey Big Suspender, of Nunsford Nutters, 3 Horsin' Around, of OnePlus One.

Under 50ft: 1 Thriller, of Hillside Carnival Club.

Visiting Royalty - under 20ft: 1 Pretty as a Picture, of Topsham Town Fair, 2 From Russia with Love, of Totnes Carnival Club, 3 Venetian Dreams, of Honiton Carnival Club, 4 Samba, of Seaton Carnival Club.

Visiting Royalty - over 20ft: 1 Queen of the Ice, of Dawlish Carnival Club, 2 Good Ship Lollipop, of Harburtonford.

Youth Class: Boogie Bells, of South Brent Carnival Club, 2 Party Barbie, of Rainbow under 5s Playgroup.

Class G - Float under 25ft: 1 Doctor Who, of Honiton Scouts, 2 Showbiz Sparkle, of Budleigh Salterton

Local Class - floats: 1 Ventures Go Wild, of Osmvsu, 2 The Wild West, of Sidvale and Otter Valley Young Farmers Club, 3 Batmobile, of Otterhayes Trust.

Trade Class: Dartmoor Christmas Trees.

Non-motorised class: 1 Pinball Whiz, of A&A Carnival Club, 2 Space, of Tick Tock Carnival Club, 3 Jungle Safari, of Cook Carnival Club.

Walking class - single child under 10: 1, Aztec Adventurer - Marcus Jackson, nine, of Ilminster, 2 Hearts of Gold - Daisy Charles, seven, Ilminster, 3 One Man Band - Jack Marchant, five, Sidmouth, 4 Butterfly Princess - Izzy Bramall, four, Exeter.

Class M - 10-17-years-old: 1 Carnival Showtime - Hannah Jackson, 14, Illminster.

Open class for single adults: 1, Masquerade Ball - Roger Muspratt, Paignton, 2, 12 days of Christmas - Lyn Tutty, Dawlish, 3, Firework Fantasy - Stella Swain, Exeter.

Walking Pairs - open: 1 Thomas and Friends - Kay and Jake Bramall, Exeter, 2 Willow Pattern - Bonnie Tutty and Emma Whitton, Dawlish.

Walking groups - open: 1 Laughter Unlimited - Aidan Pearcy, Abbie Thomas and Jack Dallyn, Ottery St Mary.

Local Classes - Local single children: 1 Sailing Through Ottery - Tristan Allen, 10, 2 Ottery Dalek - Robin Allen, seven, 3 Rodeo Little Lady - Tamsin Harvey, 12.

Walking - local junior pair: 1 Little Chief Big Totem - Jess and Rosa Batten-Stevens.

Walking groups: 1 Busy Otters Playgroup, 2 Ottery Dogs, 3 Colridge Future Olympians.

Walking Groups from uniformed organisation: 1, Medieval - Ottery St Mary Cubs and Scouts, 2 Very Hungry Caterpillars - 1st Ottery St Mary Brownies, 3 Dancing Queen - Ottery St Mary Guides, 4 Scary Scary Scarecrows - 2nd Ottery St Mary Brownies.

Walking class - with motorised prop: 1 Boogie Bass Boys - Honiton Carnival Club, 2 Meningitis Trust - Exmouth.

Best Overall in Carnival: Mickey's Express, of Sidvale Carnival Club.

Best Overall Walking: Pinball Whiz, A&A Carnival Club

Most Entertaining Float: Big Suspender - Nunsford Nutters.

Most Entertaining: Walking Boogie Bass Boys.

Best Carnival Spirit: Horsin' Around, One Plus One.

Best Music: Medieval Legend - Eclipse Carnival Club.

Best Lights: Mickey's Express.

Best Costume: Ride of the Valkyries.

Best Make-up: Pinball Whiz.

Most colourful: Space, of Tick Tock Carnival Club.

Most original Theme: Masquerade Ball.

Best Attendant: Topsham Town Fair.