THE rain didn't stop the community coming out in force to celebrate Dalton Carnival on Saturday.

Residents lined the streets of the town to cheer a parade from Tudor Square along Market Street, with a procession of bands and floats defying the wet weather.

The parade was led by the newly crowned Dalton Carnival queen, 14-year-old Grace Milner, in a horse and cart.

While the carnival's dancing competitions were moved to Drill Hall, there was still plenty for families to enjoy on Dowdales school field, including donkey rides, zorb balls and bouncy castle.

Val Robinson, secretary of the Dalton Carnival committee, said she was glad to still see a good turnout despite the rain.

She said: "It's disappointing but you can't control the weather.

"The little ones have enjoyed it. We all still enjoyed it.

"It's nice to see the support of the town.

"Attendance is obviously down but everything we raise from today goes back into the town."

For more from Dalton Carnival, see Monday's Evening Mail.