As families enjoyed the Lord Mayor's Procession in Castle Meadow and Timber Hill, there were a few notable floats which caught the eye.

One of the biggest hits among the children came right towards the end, as a huge pirate ship made its way past the crowds.

Just as it passed The Bell Hotel the crowd jumped as a loud bang was sounded and a cannon launched colourful confetti into the air.

Staff from Hurricane Way-based InTouch Systems donned pirate gear and had hoisted the bodies of traitors to the top of the ship's mast.

A cavalcade of tiny lightsaber-wielding Jedi, fearsome Stormtroopers, an angry-looking Darth Maul and a far from cuddly Chewbacca delighted fans of the force.

Members of the Norwich Star Wars club even managed to bring along a Scout Walker, complete with an Ewok driver.

On a similar theme, the final float, from the Norwich Sci-Fi Club, saw Daleks invade Norwich while at least one excitable child in Castle Meadow really believed the man with the glasses on their float was Doctor Who.

The enthusiasm of the people on and around the Tube Scaffolding float was infectious, endearing themselves to the crowd with their Elvis moves.

There were super heroes on 222 Broadland Squadron Air Cadets float, complete with a sign saying Welcome To Norwich - A Crime City - twinned with Metropolis and Gotham City.

The Priscilla Bacon Lodge float had an under the sea theme, with a jellyfish, mermaids and other sea creatures joined by Neptune, the Roman God of the Sea.

The Chermond Display Team impressed with their gymnastic displays, while majorettes from Twirlesque, the Splitz Dance Group and Dance Off showed off their moves.

Kay and Arron Howard, from Thorpe St Andrew, were at the parade with four-and-a-half year old Georgia. Mrs Howard said: 'It's the first time I've been to it and it was really good. Arron has been to it a couple of times. As soon as the last float went past Georgia was saying she wanted to come again next year.'

Georgia said: 'I liked the princesses, the parrots and the pirate ship.'

Andrea West, 34 from Sprowston, was there with her children Zarfarah, six, and Onawa, three.

She said: 'I thought it was really brilliant, better than ever, especially the pirate ship. It was the star of the show. I really enjoyed the whole procession.'

Both Zarfarah and Onawa said their favourite thing about the procession was seeing the fairies and the princesses.

Justina and James Duggan, 39 and 43, and who live off Aylsham Road, in Norwich, watched the procession with three-year-old Sean.

Mrs Duggan said: 'I think the procession is brilliant. It brings people out and it is local.

'The children love it and it is just a really good night out. It is really good fun and it has become a real Norwich tradition.'

Nicole and Ian Plunkett, 36 and 39, were at the procession with Eva, four, and Niah, six.

Mr Plunkett said: 'We really enjoyed ourselves. The whole ceremony of it all was great and there was a really nice atmosphere.'

Mrs Plunkett said her favourite float was the pirate ship while Niah said she liked all the dancing.

Judges awarded first place in the Carnival Spirit float contest to the UK Centre for Carnival Arts, with the Red Hat Society: Norfolk Broads Chapter taking second and the Sewell Toy Library third.

Runners up were the Norwich Community West Schools Cluster, Bayer Crop Science and InTouch Systems.

• Make sure you get the Evening News on Monday, when we will have a 12-page picture special featuring all the fun of the Lord Mayor's Celebrations.

And send us your photographs from the Lord Mayor's Celebrations by emailing newsdesk@archant.co.uk