AFTER a brief hiatus, Barrow's carnival is set to return this year with a bang.

There's plenty of work to do before the dream becomes a reality.

And if images from the Evening Mail's archives of carnival days gone by are a barometer, there's plenty to look forward to.

With the winter weather lingering stubbornly, we take a look at the time of year when local communities come together.

Whether it's a group of teenagers dressed as rebellious school girls raising money for a hospital fund, or a group of school boys dressed as pirates, the carnival season has always been an unforgettable one.

High spirits are maintained whatever the weather. Despite the rain, Barrow Carnival in August 1990 saw hundreds of locals hits the streets under umbrellas to watch the carnival and the military band march up Abbey Road in style.

Dance troupes from across the area are pictured smiling while extravagant fancy dress, from cowgirls to American footballers, also feature.

For more pictures, go to nwemail.co.uk