A cavalcade of colourful floats graced the streets of Bexhill on Saturday for the annual carnival procession.

Hundreds of people had spent months perfecting their entries for the fiesta with its theme of transport through the ages.

Entrants lined up in Turkey Road, Sidley, at midday while the judges looked at each float in turn, and a cannon signalled the beginning of the procession at 1pm.

Children gathered together in their outfits on the hot summer's day while thousands of people crowded the streets.

Bexhill Carnival Committee chairman Les Whitmarsh said: "It was just over a two-mile run and we had 47 floats, which was up on last year. They were all of good quality."

The voluntary committee of nine worked hard this year putting on an event for people of all ages.

The traditional Party in Polegrove was held on Friday, culminating with a show called Dance of the Decades with Beatles, Abba and Queen tribute bands. The evening ended with a fireworks display.

But a break from tradition meant Saturday afternoon's entertainment in Polegrove was free. The carnival committee decided to rely on donations this year from the 7,000 to 8,000 people who were expected to turn up.

The money from the street collection will be split between five nominated charities: Christchurch Methodist Church supporting Sussex Air Ambulance, Bexhill Swimming Club raising money for a disabled gala, Homecall, which offers visiting schemes for the visually impaired, the Friends of 73a Centre, providing ongoing support in the community for people with mental illness, and Hastings and Rother Special Olympics Group.

The Bexhill Carnival Court included 18-year-old carnival queen Charlotte Spinks, deputy queen Kerry Gunningham, 16, carnival princesses Chimene Carrick, 15, and Rebekah Herring, 19, and junior princess Fern Denney, 11.

Charlotte said: "It was brilliant. Once you get involved with the carnival you can't stop. I was a princess before and we all had to go through a judging process."

The carnival court was followed by the Mayor and Mayoress of Bexhill, Councillor Eric Armstrong and his wife Jeanette.

Coun Armstrong said: "The motto of Bexhill is 'sun and health' so it was very apt.

"We have been involved over the years but not in an official capacity. I was deputy mayor and a judge with my wife last year. This year we were driven in the procession, which has never happened before."

A 40-strong band from the Notting Hill Carnival in London also took part in the procession.

Family and friends from Sheila Childs Close and Mephams Terrace had got together to build a spaceship with the theme Dr Who and the aliens.

Daleks, cybermen and the Men In Black joined children aged three to seven dressed as aliens.

Gwen Potter, 31, said: "The children came up with the idea and helped us with the costumes and our float was designed by Anita Pain."

Bexhill's 3rd St Michael's Scouts decided to look to the sky for their inspiration and dressed as pilots in planes, with many of the children donning Biggles-style moustaches and flying hats.

The male members of staff dressed as air hostesses and the women as pilots. Brian Thomas, group Scout leader, said: "We had Spitfires and Red Arrows, which the children helped to paint."

A family of Star Trek fans joined the carnival dressed in the customary Trekkie uniform with their own Starship Enterprise, which will now be auctioned off on eBay.

Graham Eley said the money made from his creation would go into the carnival pot. His daughter Claire Eley, 31, and her partner Ben Coleman, 31, also took part.

Ben said: "It was good fun. We always have the same team who enter every year."

Fairlight Youth Club entered the procession for the first time, joining with Fairlight Panto Group. Their Mississippi riverboat was built with the help of a local building firm.

Candy Corner newsagents walked two-by-two beside their Noah's Arc float, which included lions and ladybirds.

Jessica Highfield, 16, said: "We did it last year and celebrated 160 years of sweets. It is a family affair and it's great to get together while we make the float."

Members of Pebsham 1066 Riding for the Disabled also took part in the carnival. Vanessa Wood said: "We had highway men and knights on horses and dressage to represent transport through the ages on horseback."