MORE people than ever visited Winwick Carnival last Saturday, say organisers.

An estimate of 3,500 visitors made the village's sixth carnival one of its most successful, with people from as far away as Standish, Blackburn and Burnley taking time to enjoy the events.

As well as a parachute display, there was a Three Little Pigs puppet show set to music, a circus workshop, ferret walking, dog displays, birds of prey and stalls.

John Gordon, chairman of Winwick Parish Council and a member of the carnival committee, put its success down to the good weather, its reputation and the number of people who commute through Winwick.

He said: "A lot of people pass through Winwick on their way to work, so had obviously seen our advertising. On such a sunny day they must have thought it would be a nice way to spend Saturday. This year was our best in three years and the carnival went without a hitch."

It was the first time Winwick Carnival opened without a parade, due to a lack of guaranteed police presence. Although organisers admit people did express sadness about the parade's demise, it failed to spoil the overall day.

Clr Gordon said: "It seems the lack of parade didn't dent the carnival's success but a lot of people were disappointed it didn't happen."

The crowds at Winwick ensured £700 profit will get next year's carnival off to a good start. Making money was not the day's aim, so it's healthy profit will be ploughed back into the 2006 event.

Clr Gordon said: "You could say it's given us a cushion for next year."