The sun did not stop shining and the crowds lined the streets in their thousands for the annual Deal Carnival parade, one of the biggest in the South East.

Fancy dress entrants from a giant flea to walking jelly fish were joined by colourful floats, regatta courts, musicians, discos and live music, with plenty of energetic dancers showing off their routines along the route.

Members of Dance With Danni had a trio of entries reflecting scenes from the musical Grease and 101 dancers aged five to 22 entertained the onlookers.

Danni Jenner-Relf, the school principal, said: “It is stressful getting everything organised, but we came first in our class!

“The kids just love Deal Carnival and it took three weeks to prepare everything. It was hard work but worth it.”

Thursday night’s parade was followed by the Queens’ Carnival Dance, ending a week of fun, including a baby show, teddy bears’ picnic, Party on the Prom, fireworks, sea events and a lorry pull.

* Buy the East Kent Mercury on Thursday, August 1, for eight pages of Deal Regatta Week events with photos by Tony Flashman.