Road closures were for once welcomed on Sunday as Diss celebrated its first carnival parade in seven years.Thousands of residents lined the sun-kissed, but blustery, streets of the town to mark the biggest procession of colourful floats and contraptions through the town in decades.

Road closures were for once welcomed on Sunday as Diss celebrated its first carnival parade in seven years.

Thousands of residents lined the sun-kissed, but blustery, streets of the town to mark the biggest procession of colourful floats and contraptions through the town in decades.

An array of characters such as cowboys and Indians, flower fairies and girls in hula skirts were just some of the 35 entries that helped restore carnival fever to the town.

Organisers hailed the success of the event, which saw more than 2,500 people pack into the Diss Town Football Club ground for an afternoon and evening of musical entertainment, fun and games.

The town's last carnival parade in 2001 only attracted four floats.

But officials from Diss Town Council said they hoped the summer celebration could once again become an annual event following the huge support from local businesses, clubs and societies.

The festivities kicked off on Saturday when more than 700 people attended a free Proms in the Park concert organised by Diss Rotary Club, which also saw the crowning of 18-year-old carnival queen Charlotte Cox.

Jane Trippett-Jones, carnival co-ordinator and deputy mayor, said the parade and fun day had been “fantastic”, which will raise thousands of pounds for the East Anglian air ambulance.

“It has been absolutely amazing. The weather has been incredibly good to us and the community has really come together to make it a brilliant day,” she said.

The Greyhound pub and 1st Diss Brownies won the best float competition judged by BBC Look East presenter Stewart White.