THOUSANDS of people lined the streets on Saturday to welcome the much-anticipated return of lorry floats to the Bromsgrove Carnival parade.

Community groups, schools and charities from across the district got dressed up and decorated their vehicles with extravagant props according to the theme of ‘Once Upon a Time’.

Town Crier Kevin Ward led the procession, which, among several others, featured volunteers from Libby Mae’s Little Angels dressed as characters from the Wizard of Oz and nurses from the Princess of Wales Hospital aboard a Bromsgrove Sporting float, inspired by Alice in Wonderland.

But the award for best float went to pupils at Fairfield First School, who dressed as the puppies from Disney’s 101 Dalmatians.

Lorry floats were axed from the procession in 2005 due to a lack of entrants, and replaced by trolley floats years later, but each year nostalgic residents said the parade just wasn’t the same without them.

And they weren’t disappointed by their return.

Amy Reigns, 34, who watched the parade with her two young children, said: “It was absolutely magical.

“I used to watch the parade when I was a kid and it’s so lovely that my children get to see the lorry floats just like the parade used to be.

“It’s such a special community event for Bromsgrove and I don’t think they could have done a better job with it to be honest.”

Crowds gathered along the route, with dozens more watching the procession from their bedroom windows and doorsteps.

In Sanders Park where the parade concluded, stalls were set up by the likes of Charlotte and Craig Saving Heart’s Foundation, Tardebigge Cider, Hartbeeps and Bromsgrove Street Pastors.

Fairfield Short Stepperz, Stage Door Dance Academy and Lukey Magic were among those to perform, as well as live music from The Fish Heads and The Red Tails.

Runners of all ages competed in Timberhonger 10k and Children’s Challenge in the evening, and the outdoor cinema returned by popular demand, screening romantic musical La La Land.

Parade manager Natalie Holland said: "I'm over the moon with how it all came together. I couldn't believe how many people turned up to line the streets.

"Everybody was so pleased that the lorries had come back so we're hoping to bring them back next year too. We'll start planning for the next carnival at the end of the year but we've already had a few people say they want to sign up."

She thanked all the lorry companies involved for donating their vehicles, parade entrants, marshalls and local supermarkets for donating food for the post-parade picnic.

To see our photo gallery of this year's Bromsgrove Carnival, click here.