A TOWN'S population turned out in force to celebrate one of its biggest galas in recent history at the weekend.

The hard work Shildon residents had put into their carnival became apparent on Saturday when the parade of vintage cars, stunning floats and imaginative costumes wound through the streets.

Last year, the town's parade was resurrected for the first time after a gap of many years, but John Bowman, vice-chairman of Shildon Chamber of Trade, said he had not expected such overwhelming support this year.

"The streets were lined with people. I spoke to some of the people at the gala and they said it was the highest number of visitors they had ever had. It was absolutely packed. The cake stalls were sold out by 11.30am," he said.

There were 27 floats in the parade, but the judges were won over by the Flintstones float - a recreation of Shildon as a prehistoric town by a local pub. Carnival queen was 15-year-old Anya Bailey.