FUN-SEEKING crowds flocked to Ledbury Town Centre for the Ledfest Carnival on Bank Holiday Monday, as the late summer weather behaved itself and stayed dry.

The theme of Ledfest, which was a celebration of all festivals, led to one of the largest parades in recent years, with plenty of variety for the procession entries.

Thousands of onlookers lined the streets, from New Street to the High Street, from The Homend to Orchard Lane, to watch the grand procession go by.

And what a procession it was.

It was the year when the Mexican Day of the Dead rubbed shoulders with a celebration of Herefordshire marmalade, and when Ledbury Rotary Club celebrated the joys of cider, from the back of a cleverly decorated lorry, and when the Ledbury Allotments Association swept all before them with their colourful and imaginative Vegfest float.

Hilary Jones, chairman of the Ledbury Carnival Committee said: "We had the right sort of weather. It was kind to us, and I think everybody had a good day.

"We had more large floats this year, and a lot of hard work went into them."

Highlights this year included musical performances by Ledbury Community Brass Band; Frontrunner and Samba Galez.

Mrs Jones said: "People were still dancing in the High Street at 5pm when we were getting ready to pack up!"

The Carnival Committee has released the judging results for the procession and the results of the shop window competition, which are as follows:

Judging Results

Class 1 - Childrens fancy dress

1st Rory Barry – Eastnor Chlli Fest

2nd Ben Powers – Carrot

3rd Jace Turner – Hot Air Balloon

Class 2 – Senior fancy dress

1st Fiona Barry – Ledbury Poetry Festival

2nd Keith Francis – Green Man Ledfest

Class 3 - Bicycle pram hand propelled vehicle, walking group

1st The Hills Family – MarmaLade

2nd S Wood – Charlotte Karal

3rd Sammi Hobby – Festival of Colour

Class 4 - Equine

No Entries

Class 5 - Small Float

1st Weager Family- Day of the Dead

2nd Pugh – Harvest Fest Pugh Pickers

Class 6 - Large Float

1st Celia Smith - Vegfest at Ledfest (Allotment Association)

2nd Jan Long – Cider Festival (Ledbury Rotary)

3rd Caroline Green – Choirfest 20 Years of Ledbury Community Choir

Class 7 - Childrens Float

1st Laura Clarke – Christmas is Coming (Friends of Ledbury Children Centre)

Overall Winner - Vegfest at Ledfest (Allotment Association)

The shop window competition results.

Winner : Gaynans

2nd : One One Sandwich Shop

3rd : Raft

Highly Commended : Shaw Trust, Dawe Bros

Commended : Dragonfly Studio, Utopia, Margaret Matteo, J Mart, Three Countries Bookshop, TSB, Monkleys, Wildlife Trust, Co-op Funeral