An extravaganza of dancing, music, fun and laughter delighted the thousands who crowded into the streets of Barrow to watch the carnival parade in 1988

Led by the swirl of the tartan and the sound of the bagpipes of St Andrew’s Pipe Band, the mile-long cavalcade took almost three hours to wend its way through the streets, entertaining the crowds along the way.

CARNIVAL: Excitement as the carnival parade approaches

CARNIVAL: Excitement as the carnival parade approaches

There were more than 100 competitive entries in the parade, with bands, marchers, dancers, floats, shire horses and decorated vehicles.

Hundreds of dancers in colourful costumes dazzled in the bright summer sunshine and the Swantasia and Rosebud floats looked particularly eye-catching.

Collectors along the route, some in fancy dress, filled box after box with cash from generous townsfolk.

Pride of place in the parade went to the carnival queen, 20-year-old Paula Thornburn, dressed in a crinoline dress of dotted white silk, with a bouquet of peach roses.

She was accompanied by three ladies-in-waiting, Margaret Quinn, Gail Richards and Rachel Glew, who wore similar-style dresses in Wedgewood blue.

Another highlight was the 100-strong Welfare State Barracuda Band, led by Peter Moser.

DANCE: Dancing girls Claire Evans and Carly Mallinson at the carnival

DANCE: Dancing girls Claire Evans and Carly Mallinson at the carnival

Their pulsating rhythms and street theatre displays captured the public’s imagination.

Also voted a hit was the Barbara French School of Dancers, with routines in unison to disco music.

A pair of beautiful 18 hands high Shire horses pulling a Hartley's beer wagon evoked memories of parades of yesteryear for many people.

VSEL's play frigate delighted many youngsters, some of whom were allowed aboard during pauses in the parade. Built by first-year apprentices at Vickers, it was to be donated to the George Hastwell School at Barrow later that year.

The Furness Phantoms American football team wore their distinctive padded sports gear.

Another eye-catching tableau was the HMS Imperial float with smartly-dressed young sailors in red, white and blue.

OVER GROUND: ‘Wombling’ along in the parade in 1988

OVER GROUND: ‘Wombling’ along in the parade in 1988

Winners of the junior fancy dress were Yvonne Minnis and Helen Armes as grandma and grandad; senior fancy dress winner was Andrea Posnett as a clown.

The best float was Swantasia

Proceeds of the carnival would be going towards providing paramedic equipment for an ambulance, said parade organiser and chairman Jean Grainger.