You just couldn't have timed it better if you'd tried. As Heacham Carnival procession neared the sports field this afternoon, the heavens opened.

And as the floats snaked around the corner led by James Pollard carrying the Olympic Torch, they opened even more.

Perhaps the Guymers, who took the �20 prize for best family float, knew what was coming six months ago when they started building it.

National Construction College lecturer Ian Guymer, 33, turned a dinghy into the Jolly Roger with the help of his mate Tony Ellis and family members young and old.

The lucky ones, like Mr Guymer's uncle Roy Williamson, sat in the 4x4 that towed the plywood pirate ship.

Mr Guymer, his mother Jayne and other family members, dressed in pirate garb, shivered their timbers on board.

'It took them five and a half months to build, that's just for the carnival,' said Mrs Guymer as the Jolly Roger came to rest amid the Lavender Queen's float, the Peterborough Highland Pipe Band, some soaked Simpsons and a trio of tractors driven by men dressed as nuns.

'We don't know what we're going to do with it afterwards, put it in the garden I suppose.'

Parish clerk Phillippa Sewell was philosophical amid the downpours.

'It could have been worse,' she said. 'If you've got your float in it, you just carry on.'

Heacham in Bloom took the Best Group award. Heacham Judo Club were best overall. The Lavender Queen was Millie Jose, with princesses Jessica Parish, Poppy Jose and Hannah Stafford.