Thousands of spectators lined the banks of the Royal Military Canal in Hythe for the town's spectacular Venetian Fete last night.

A fleet of colourful floats created by local businesses, clubs, community groups and other organisations took part in the waterborne procession, cheered and clapped on by an appreciative audience.

On one of the warmest evenings for weeks fete participants and spectators were able to make the most of the sunny conditions.

The Hythe Venetian Fete is a tableaux of decorated floats decorated in various themes that is held on the canal every second year on the third Wednesday in August.

The event is made up of two processions of up to 40 floats, the first in daylight followed by another later in the dark when the vessels are illuminated. There was also a firework display between the two parades.

The event dates back to 1890 when Edward Palmer, the founder of the Hythe Reporter newspaper, suggested a parade of illuminated boats on the canal and on Wednesday, August 27 of that year the first parade took place.

Palmer coined the name ‘Venetian Fete’ when he reported the event in his newspaper and the name stuck and has been used ever since.

Now it remains one of the biggest events to be staged in the town, albeit every second year, attracting a huge audience from Hythe itself and across kent.

It is organised by the Hythe Venetian Fete Society.