FAMILIES flocked to a fun day event, organised to help raise cash to ensure a town's carnival could take place next year.

Barrow has been without it's annual parade celebration since 2012, and at the weekend a pair of fun days took place in Barrow Park with the aim of seeing the carnival return to the town's streets bigger and better than ever for 2018.

The fun day had lots of attractions to keep families entertained for hours, from dancing competitions to watch, to face-painting and a range of funfair rides to enjoy.

Elaine Roberts, part of the management team on the day, said: "I'm a local girl. We've not had a carnival since 2012 and it's about time we had one. Today is about getting people together and getting the community together so we can raise money to have a carnival again."

In the centre of the park, a dance competition was held, split into different categories ranging from Most Entertaining Babies right through to Adults a variety of dance schools and academies from around the area came to compete.

Dance Fusion had groups competing in every age group.

Olivia Millis, dance assistant at Dance Fusion, said: "The girls love coming; we come every year and they just love it.

"The little ones love the attention and to show off what they can do."

Dance teacher and choreographer Delaney Reid had her team were there representing Dance Fever, who are regulars on the local carnival circuit.

She said:"This is our 10th year of coming and competing. I'm very proud of them; it is a very good atmosphere and there are some really good groups dancing out there."

Sheralee Barker was at the fun day with her two children and some friends.

She said: "I'm here for a day out for my four year old son. It's for him to burn some energy off running around. There has been no carnival here for years and nothing to bring the kids to and it is about time we had something."