PARKEND Carnival celebrated its 50th anniversary in some style on Bank Holiday Monday.

The event’s major attraction – which the organisers had been keeping secret was a full-size Ferris wheel.

The carnival was opened by the High Sheriff of Gloucestershire, Charles Martell

Fifteen-year-old Kerri Howells was this year’s queen, but she was not the only one at this year’s event.

Organisers have been busy tracking down as many of the previous queens as possible and there was an exhibition of memorabilia from carnivals past.

Former queens Wendy Blackmore, who was queen in 1969, Vicki Toogood (2002), Zoe Baggus (2003), Stephanie Bosley (2008), Katiemarie Iles (2015) and Rebecca Jessop (2016) rode aboard an open top bus.

This year’s attendants were Bluebell Turner, Jasmine Norris and Amy Tingle, the princesses were Abi Rugeley,  Tabatha Turner and Daisy Norris, the flower girls were Rienna Baldwin and Daisy Baldwin, the page boys were William Matthew-Barrington  and Harrison Norris, and the banner girls were Ella Thomas and Emily Ervig.

The winning lorry float was created by Parkend School with Parkend Nursery second and the Forest Musical Society third.

In the light vehicle category, Sling Playing Fields were first and Dave Read and Co second.

There was music for the procession from jazz bands Harmony Twirlstars, of Cinderford, and Blue Phoenix from Caldicot, as well as the Bream Silver Band.

A new feature at this year’s event was a local craft market.

Sharon Stratford, who is a member of Parkend Carnival committee said: “We had a really good day.

“The Ferris wheel was very popular – it started at 11am and did not stop until 5pm. There was a constant stream of people wanting to go on it.”