Colourful fish, dancing robots and a firebreather were just some of the sights on show at the popular Hythe Venetian Fete.

The bi-annual festival saw 26 floats pass along the Royal Military Canal in front of a crowd of 8,000.

Community groups, schools, charities and even family groups took part, adorning their boats with ribbon, glitter, lighting and pompoms galore.

During the event, on Wednesday, winners were selected for their creativity.

Winners included The Shed for best float and best illuminated float, Hythe Hops for best daylight float, St Margaret’s Nursing Home for best dressed rowers, Saltwood Care Centre for best floral display and Recycle your Electricals for best environmentally conscious float.

Under the Juvenile Societies class, Sellinge School Association came first, while Hythe Hops came first in the Small Societies and Clubs class.

Hythe Twinning Association came first in the large societies and clubs class and Prince of Wales came first in the National Societies, Open & Commercial class.

Run by volunteers, the event also included music, a funfair, and fireworks. Free concerts were also held on the canal the week leading up to the fete.

Chairman Steven Way said: “It’s a wonderfully nostalgic event and the beauty of it is that not much has changed since the first fete in 1890.

“As it did then, it brings the local community together as well as hundreds of visitors to a quaint little Cinque Port town.

“We had visitors from across the UK, as far as Berwick upon Tweed and Truro.

“The fete cannot take place without vital support from sponsors and volunteers. I can’t thank them all enough for their support and look forward to starting plans for the next event in 2026.”