TAMWORTH Carnival came back with a bang at the weekend as the once-annual tradition made a welcome return to the popular Summer Festival.

Revived after a three year absence, the carnival saw a string of colourful floats and walkers parade through the town centre to kick off Sunday's festival.

Back after a three-year absence... Tamworth Carnival. (ABIMG_5922TH)
Sutton Coldfield Classic Mini Club. (ABIMG_6286TH)
It's a dog's life... Vicky Kelly, Sophie Dunlop, Breanne Kelly, Georgia Dunlop, Lee Hitchman and Rachel Dunlop from Dun-Roamin Rehoming attended the festival. (ABIMG_6294TH)
Good cause... Cancer Research UK entered its own float. (ABIMG_5923TH)
And the band marches on. (ABIMG_5937TH)
Festival fever... Staff from the Montana Events Team. (ABIMG_6298TH)
Circus skills. (ABIMG_6321TH)
The Summer Festival team join the procession. (ABIMG_5960TH)
Fairground fun. (ABIMG_6353TH)
Bumper cars... Millie Hand and Lisa Hand on the dodgems. (ABIMG_6362TH)
The rain didn't spoil this festival-goer's fun. (ABIMG_5992TH)
High flyer... Keira Owen. (ABIMG_6380TH)
Festival entertainment. (ABIMG_6383TH)
Rain on my parade... The Carnival King Jordan Roach and Queen Kirsty Lloyd take cover. (ABIMG_5998TH)
Tamworth Summer Festival members of the Open Rope Civil War Re-enactors
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Carnival King Jordan and Queen Kirsty in all their regal glory. (ABIMG_6007TH)
Carnival Princess Lucina Edden and Prince Bradley Davis. (ABIMG_6009TH)
A look back through history with the Open Rope Civil War Re-enactors. (ABIMG_6391TH)
Tamworth Ladies Rugby Club with their parade float.
Royal meets the civic leaders... King and Queen, Jordan and Kirsty, with Tamworth Mayor and Mayoress Lee and Debbie Bates. (ABIMG_6012TH)
Charity collectors walk the parade route.
Having a ball... Oliver and Josh Lake on the Body Bouncers. (ABIMG_6015TH)
The procession makes its way along Colehill.
Despite the showers Queen Kirsty remains in good spirits. (ABIMG_6017TH)
Princess Lucina chats with friends. (ABIMG_6020TH)
N.R.G Street Dance Crew strut their stuff in the procession.
The parade began at the Moat House car park in Lichfield Street.
Clowning around with King Jordan. (ABIMG_6027TH)
Dizzy heights... Callum Hughes tackles the toughest face of the climbing wall. (ABIMG_6033TH)
Tia Williams enjoys a donkey ride. (ABIMG_6041TH)
When I grow up I want to be a fireman. (ABIMG_6066TH)
When it rains... (ABIMG_6070TH)
Members of the Open Rope Civil War Re-enactors. (ABIMG_6402TH)
These youngsters take shelter in a fire truck. (ABIMG_6072TH)
Queen Kirsty takes cover with Millie Toon. (ABIMG_6074TH)
Meet and great... Carnival Queen with fireman Paul Sutton. (ABIMG_6076TH)
Game on... Kirsty tries her luck on the tin can alley. (ABIMG_6080TH)
Pieces of eight... 'Pirates' from the Oak Tree Day Nursery pose with Queen Kirsty. (ABIMG_6081TH)
Taking a stand... Kirsty signs a petition for cheaper transport for young people. Here she is pictured with Joel Rees from the 'Youth Action Council'. (ABIMG_6082TH)
Crowd pleaser... Tom And Tilly Turnip's Tomfoolery. (ABIMG_6085TH)

And despite the showers, thousands took part in the fun-packed day which included a whole host of exciting activities and entertainment.

"I had a fab time at the festival," explained Tamworth Mayor Lee Bates.

"I made the decision on the morning that instead of sitting in a car waving at people, I would walk along the parade shaking residents hands who had taken the time and trouble to line the streets in the weather to watch the parade, thanking them for supporting the event and wishing them a great festival."

The event also saw the return of the Carnival Queen, a role relished by Kirsty Lloyd and the introduction of a Carnival King, a position taken on by Jordan Roach.

Joining them during the Carnival day celebrations as Prince and Princess were Bradley Davis and Lucina Edden.

More pictures on pages 42 & 43