A VIBRANT procession of colourful floats through Witney launched the town’s annual carnival.

Schools, clubs, pubs and businesses took part in the parade followed by a variety of activities at the carnival including a donkey derby, children’s entertainment, and live music on Saturday at The Leys.

Sisters Sarah Morris, six, and Lucy Morris, eight, were in the procession with their father’s sheep.

Sarah said: “I enjoyed it when I walked round with the animals. “It made me feel like I was part of something important.”

Their dad Bob Morris, 66, from Combe, said: “It was really good and they enjoyed themselves.”

Mum-of-one Ella Brain, 30, took her three-year-old daughter Eleanor Brain to the carnival, which is supported by the Oxford Mail’s sister paper, the Witney Gazette.

Ms Brain, from Witney, said: “She has had a wonderful time, she has really enjoyed it.

“She wasn’t too keen on the noises from the highland band and the steam engine, she was a bit nervous about it. But she still sat and watched it and enjoyed it.”

Sisters Olivia Sawyer, six, and Jessica Sawyer, two, enjoyed the bouncy castle.

Olivia said: “It think it is brilliant.”

Their mum Clare Sawyer, 32, from Witney, said: “The carnival had a good atmosphere and it was a lot of fun.”

The free event, which was opened by Witney’s Croc Man, Shaun Fogget, at 11am, is jointly organised by members of the town’s Rotary and Lions clubs and Round Table.

Proceeds will go to local good causes.