THE carnival season was in full swing at the weekend as the sun shone on Darlington's 21st community carnival.

The events were launched by a colourful parade with floats depicting a European theme, including a 12ft long wedge of cheese pulled by a team of giant mice to represent Switzerland.

On Saturday, Mayor Ron Lewis started the parade of floats from the Arts Centre in Vane Terrace and they snaked through the town centre and back to Stanhope Park where a charity fair, bouncy castle and a Punch and Judy show entertained visitors before Eric and the Vikings performed live music in the Arts Centre ballroom.

Events moved to the Market Square on Sunday, with stalls selling local produce, a mini fairground, stalls, balloon modelling, face painting and circus skills.

Four bands, Woof, Fude, Last Chance Texaco and Sky Babies, provided live music all afternoon.

Free workshops run by professional artists have been held with community groups and schools in the run-up to the event to help them to make the costumes, masks and sculptures for the parade.

Carnival proceeds will go to Darlington Association on Disability.