ANDOVER carnival returned for its 100th year, with a day of festivities bigger than ever.

On Sunday, July 21, Vigo Park filled with the hustle and bustle of visitors and locals alike, with a funfair, stage of entertainment, and more than 50 stalls.

The annual procession departed from Weyhill Road at 4pm, ending up at Vigo Park at around 5.30pm after a route through the town centre, filling Andover with music, colour and crowds.

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Girlguiding in the processionGirlguiding in the procession (Image: The Big Cheese Photography)

Carnival chairman Kevin Rush said: "It has been an amazing day. It's about half a mile from start to finish, the longest procession we've ever seen. It's taken an immense amount of time but the amount of people that have turned out has got to be a record. It's been non-stop people from start to finish - it's incredible.

"It's gone really well, we're looking forward to counting all the pennies, and we're really pleased. It's been really well received, for the first time I can remember, when people realise I'm the end, we've been getting an applause. These guys (Swan Samba Drumming Band) have joined us halfway through, and they are the perfect finale."

Pupils, the fire brigade, clubs and motorists took part, in the record breaking turn out of participants.