The coronavirus pandemic sadly put paid to this year’s Barrow Carnival, the most colourful day of the year for the town.

It has prevented a repeat of scenes The Mail captured in 1989 when thousands lined the streets as the long procession snaked its way through town for what was then called the Friends of Furness Hospitals Carnival Parade.

One of the most imaginative displays was St Paul’s Cubs’ Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines, in which the boys converted their bicycles into a World War One plane.

The dancing schools were as colourful as ever among more than 100 entries, while collection tins raised £5,612.84 for the Friends of Furness Hospitals.

While the crowds were able to enjoy the summer sunshine that day, they were forced to take cover the following year as the heavens opened.

Typically of Barrow, however, the wet weather failed to dampen spirits, even though the St Andrews Pipe Band were forced to shelter in the doorway of the Abbey Road Co-op for a while.

Chairman of Friends of Furness Hospitals Jean Grainger said: “People turned out to support us despite the rain and most of the floats and dancing troupes due to take part were in the parade.”

Happily, the sunshine returned for 1991, although there was no parade this time - cancelled because of a lack of help behind the scenes.

However, the town centre was alive with music and dance on the day, with the Wild West Rangers getting the day off a perfect start on Dalton Road.