Wellington boot-wearing townspeople enjoyed falconry displays, five-a-side football, belly dancing, marching and the sight of a sheepdog herding ducks around an obstacle course.

But memories of recent flooding did deter many due to take part from the parade and attractions at St Nicholas Park.

Several stalls and some entrants for the parade did not turn up, while three of the six pub teams booked for the tug of war contest evidently preferred pulling pints indoors.

It was Warwick Lions' 11th year running the event and the group hopes to have raised more than £3,000 for causes in the town. Carnival

committee chairman Jon Dodd paid tribute to those who did venture out.
He said: "We have done absolutely brilliantly, considering the weather. It is probably one of the best carnivals we have had.

"We picked it up when it was in the doldrums and we have been gradually building it up over the years."

He added: "If we have sunny weather and the same sort of support next year we will get even more people out."

One of the organisations which did brave the damp conditions was Mid Warwickshire Cats Protection. Fundraiser Julie Seymour
said: "Considering the weather we didn't think many people would turn out.

"We don't know if it has put a few people off but we won't be stopped by a bit of rain."