A LITTLE rain didn’t dampen the spirit of this year’s Ottery Carnival on Saturday.

The last fixture of the East Devon circuit saw all entrants on good form as they vied for points. Ottery was well represented, with 24 entries out of the total 59.

This included floats Ocean Venture (Ottery St Mary VSU); Young at Heart (Rally 51); Ottery Youth Football and Santa Comes to Town (Otter Vale Rotary Club). Two Somerset entries came to Ottery for the first time - the Poppe Inn near Chard, and the Domino Carnival Club. “It was one of the largest events on the circuit this year,” said carnival secretary Steve Pearcy. “It went really smoothly, which is always nice.”

The carnival royalty that won awards on this year’s circuit were: Queen Tamsin Harvey and princesses Bethany Paddon and Elisha Banfield.

The royalty for 2011, crowned on Saturday, are: Jadine Dyer, Tania Cake, Jasmine Marshall and Lauren Pearcey.

The procession and the fireworks display at Land of Canaan raised �2,100 toward carnival and tar barrels funds. This is �400 up on last year. “We’re really chuffed,” said Steve.

Results: Best Overall: Voodoo Carnival, Eclipse Carnival Club; Best overall walking: Skull duggery, A & A Carnival Club; Most entertaining float: Jokers, Sid Vale Carnival Club; Most entertaining walker: Bodacious, Boogie Bass Bugs; Best carnival spirit: Queen of Love, Dawlish Carnival Club; Best music in procession: Welcome to Bollywood, Zem Carnival Club; Best lighting in procession: Jokers, Sid Vale Carnival Club; Most colourful entry: Snowtime, South Brent Carnival Club.