Fearsome red Indians, aliens, cartoon favourites Shrek and Scooby Doo and hundreds of cute children certainly helped get Sheringham in the party mood last night as they paraded through the seaside town.

Fearsome red Indians, aliens, cartoon favourites Shrek and Scooby Doo and hundreds of cute children certainly helped get Sheringham in the party mood last night as they paraded through the seaside town.

The colourful scenes of thousands of people lining the streets to watch more than 30 impressive floats were in stark contrast to last year's carnival when a torrential downpour led to the main

fun day being cancelled as rivers of rainwater flooded the area.

Yesterday's parade, from the Station Road car park, was led by carnival queen Daniella Cummins and her attendants, who all savoured their time in the limelight as they represented the youth of the town.

During the day, Sheringham was awash with visitors as they took in street entertainers, a funfair, a battle of the bands, mini-train rides and a pantomime horse race from the Lobster pub to the town clock.

The only glitch to the whole day was when traffic into the town was delayed after a conifer tree fell on a moving car on Holway Road at about 12.40pm.

Gary Pegg, head of Sheringham's fire station, said it was a very lucky escape for the Vauxhall Astra's male driver and female passenger as they suffered no serious injuries despite the tree crashing through the vehicle's front window.

Speaking last night Helena Beresford, vice-chairman of the carnival, said: “Every year Sheringham is expected to put on a fantastic show for the carnival and I think that yet again we have certainly not disappointed anyone.”

The winner of this year's best carnival float was the Ladybird Pre-School, which had 40 children dressed up as various Walt Disney characters.

Today, the carnival fun continues with a Sheringham in Bloom fancy dress beach clean from 10am to noon and local group the Shantymen performing in the Windham pub from 7.45pm.

On Friday, an 80s glam rock party night will be held in Lifeboat Plain from 9pm with the carnival quiz held in the Dunstable Arms from 8pm. The Cromer & Sheringham Brass Band will hold a free concert in St Peter's Church 7.30pm on Saturday.

The carnival finishes on Sunday with an illuminated procession leaving Lifeboat Plain from about 8.45pm and a grand fireworks display at the Weybourne Road sports ground from 9.30pm.

For information on any of the events visit www.sheringhamcarnival.co.uk and click on the programme link.