HUNDREDS of revellers turned out to enjoy a myriad of entertainers as Basildon went carnival crazy.

This year’s Basildon and Pitsea Carnival was a community triumph, as baton twirlers, musicians, and street dancers paraded through the town alongside a procession of more than 25 floats.

The floats, which included firemen, miniature horses, majorettes and belly dancers, set off from Leinster Road at noon on Saturday, and made their way to Northlands Park, off Felmores, in true carnival style.

They brightened the streets despite the gloomy weather.

Once at the park, revellers enjoyed fairground rides and summer fete festivities with all money raised going to Hands Together charity, Breathe Easy Essex and Basildon-based youth football club Beech United.

Vice-chairman of Basildon Council Sandra Hillier turned up to cheer on the parade.

This year’s carnival queen, 13-year-old Elle Hollingworth, who goes to De La Salle School, in Basildon, said: “It was amazing, there were so many people it was untrue.

“I just had to wave and smile, wearing this massive white dress, which was boiling.”

The youngster, who will now visit other carnivals across the country with her entourage of princesses, said she cannot wait for the next event.

One of the more exotic floats was occupied by the bellydancing Isis Dancing Group.

Group leader, Noha Lamb, 45, from South Woodham Ferrers, has been holding belly dancing classes in Basildon for more than ten years, but this was the first time she had taken part in the carnival.

She said: “My girls have been very excited about the carnival, they get to wear wonderful costumes and veils.”

Olga Revell, 30, of Kenneth Road, Pitsea, attends classes with her daughter, Nikita, and they both took part in the parade.

She said: “My daughter has been very excited about it.

“We’ve all dressed up and done our makeup.

“So many people in the community are involved, it’s wonderful.”

Stuart Terson, vice-chairman of Basildon and Pitsea Carnival Association, and parade organiser, said: “It was a wonderful day, we had no problems and loads of support.

“We had lots of community organisations taking part and some former carnival queens too.”

Mr Terson said the fact the parade walked into Northlands Park this year, as opposed to stopping on Burnt Mills Road, made a big difference.

He said: “We were able to make a big entrance which was great.”

Although the association will not know how much has been raised until later in the week, the vice-chairman said he was confident it had done well.