Carnival draws in crowds on Morecambe promenade

Teams competing in the It’s a Knockout tournament threw themselves wholeheartedly into the competition, braving freezing temperatures to ensure they won a prize.

Crowds gathered at the arena near The Midland hotel to see men and women from local businesses and fitness clubs compete for prizes.

Morecambrian Rachel Smith, at the carnival with her two children, said: “I don’t envy them today, its freezing, but its great to see people taking part in the carnival. Morecambe needs events like this and its great to see so many people have turned out to enjoy it, despite the cold.”

Children and adults both flocked to the funfair to try out the ferris wheel and merry-go-round, before enjoying candy floss and hot dogs.

Donkey rides were on offer for the children, harking back to Morecambe’s past as a holiday resort.

Soap fans flocked to the Eric Morecambe statue for a picture of soap star brothers Ryan Thomas (who plays Jason Grimshaw in Coronation Street) and Adam Thomas, (who plays Adam Barton in Emmerdale).

The pair posed for photos before going to present prizes for the It’s a Knockout competition and the Sandcastle competition.

Ryan said: “The carnival is great, it generates business for the local area and encourages people to come to Morecambe.

“It creates a bit of an atmosphere and its good for Morecambe.

“Events like this put Morecambe on the map.”

Carnival organiser David Brayshaw said: “It’s a shame about the weather but I think people are still enjoying themselves.”

Adam Thomas said: “I came last year to the first carnival and this year I came back with Ryan. We’ll be signing carnival programmes in the Arndale Centre before we present the prizes for It’s a Knockout.”

Families enjoyed building sandcastles for the sandcastle competition on the beach at Morecambe, organised by More Music.

Soap stars Ryan and Adam Thomas presented the prizes for the sandcastle competition after signing programmes in the Arndale Centre.

One Sam Band Sam Middleton, a one woman band, was performing on the promenade.

She said: “Although the weather isn’t great, people can still enjoy themselves anyway.”

Due to the inclement weather , two of the aircraft taking part in the aerial display were unable to fly, but the RAF Dakota did a flypast for the crowds.

Businesses in Morecambe did a roaring trade in drinks, food and ice creams due to the carnival’s pull.

The carnival continues tomorrow (Sunday, May 3) as follows:

12.30pm - Coronation of Carnival King and Queen

1.30pm - Carnival parade

1.30pm - Batala drummers on The Bay Stage

3.30pm - Live music on The Bay Stage featuring 911, Paul Akister, Shayne Ward, Stereo Kicks, Black Lace, Henry Gallagher and around 30 acts

9pm - Fireworks finale

After party - ‘Disco Inferno’ - in The Platform.