It was party time in Beccles as the town's annual carnival got under way on the quayside.

Thousands of people turned out for two days of family fun over the weekend.

Annette Tackley, one of the carnival organisers, said: 'The response has been really positive. We have had lots of comment from people saying how much they have enjoyed it, which is what it's all about really.'

She added: 'The highlight was seeing everybody enjoying themselves and having fun.

'It is nice to see Beccles put on the map.

'So many holidaymakers have been saying what a lovely town we have got and the carnival is part of that.'

The entertainment kicked off on Saturday at Beccles Quay with the annual teddy bear parade, led by Miss Beccles Evangeline Robinson and her two princesses Sophie Sampson and Emma Rusted.

There was also a children's fancy dress competition in the main arena, a bonny baby competition, a glam gran competition and children's races.

New for this year was a performance from the Jive Bunnies, who entertained crowds with dancing in the arean,

Saturday evening saw the launch of the Beccles Quay Rocks music concert, which featured a host of local bands.

There was also be a fun fair, stalls and a beer tent running throughout the weekend.

The popular carnival parade on Sunday featured more than 40 entries.

They included a coffin carrying bike submitted by a local funeral director and a baby dressed up as a pilot sat in a pushchair decorated as an aeroplane.

Following the parade there was a static car and steam display, along with entertainment from the Lowestoft Signing Choir, Caroline Yardy's Zumba, the Samboomba Samba band, the Woodton Lady steam engine, a live swing set fromTom Elgie and a display from the Lowestoft Dog Agility Display Team.

The event was organised this year by a team of five people, who work long hours over over carnival weekend and have already started planning next year's event on August 15 and 16.

They were supported by Alex Moore, of the Moore Music Roadshow, who drafted in extra volunteers to help at the last minute.

Mrs Tackley said: 'It is such hard work. Everything costs such a lot of money and we are so lucky that we have always kept going.

'The only reason we are still going is because people put donations in the buckets.

'Every year there are new regulations that cost us more and that is what kills events in other areas.

'I just want to say thank you to all the volunteers because without their support this wouldn't happen.'

Proceeds from the weekend will fund next year's event and remaining monies will be split between the Wet Nose animal centre in Hales, the Brownies and Beccles hospital.