ALIENS descended on Haltwhistle last weekend, while an Egyptian mummy was seen departing the town on a mobility scooter.

But the strange goings on were all part of the script as Haltwhistle Carnival reached its grand finale.

A week of fun-filled activities led to carnival day itself on Sunday, with hundreds of people turning out to celebrate the biggest day in Haltwhistle’s summer calendar.

The annual procession of floats departed the fire station at noon, before making its way along Park Road, Westgate, Main Street, Lanty’s Lonnen, Avenue St Meen, and West Road to the carnival field at Bellister Haughs.

And what a procession it was, with lorries, quad bikes, push bikes and other vehicles turned into mobile dance floors filled with fancy-dress clad children and adults.

The convoy was led by the City of Newcastle Pipe Band, with this year’s carnival princess, Jodie Wigham, and her attendents Libby Surtees and Charlie Banks following closely behind.

Home-made trees were prominent on an English garden- themed float entered by Greenhead Primary School.

Natural vegetation was to be found on the float entered by Haltwhistle Conservative Club, with leaves and branches hanging above the face and body-painted dancers on board.

In addition to a crew of walking aliens, a float entered by Haltwhistle Community Campus included an impressive array of artwork using foil and other inventive materials.

There were a vast array of characters from Ancient Egypt, while the procession also included Belle from Beauty and the Beast, Star Wars characters and Lord Farquaad and other cast members from Shrek.

The carnival field was an extensive playground for people of all ages, with fairground rides, live music, a petting zoo, donkey rides and children’s entertainment.

Many people made their way to the vintage vehicle section, where there was everything from traction engines to a 1987 Ford Capri, and to see an impressive array of wooden chainsaw carvings.

Carnival chairman Michael Glenwright said: “As always, the carnival is a real team effort with a lot of people working very hard behind the scenes.

“We’ve had a great week of activities leading up to carnival day and it has been wonderful to see so many people coming along and enjoying themselves.”

RESULTS

Small float: 1, English Garden, Greenhead Primary School; 2, Out of this world, Haltwhistle Community Campus; 3, Shrek. Large Float: 1, Egyptians; 2, Tory Trolls. Kids’ float: 1, Out of this World, 2, English Garden. Fancy dress driver: 1, Space outfit from Halty Space Academy; 2, Egyptian Mummy, Ben Sloan; 3, Trolls’ Billy Sloan. Best walking costume: 1, Lord Farquaad; 2, Egyptian camel; 3, Belle, Beauty and the Beast. Best group walking: 1, Aliens; 2, English Garden; 3, Shrek. Best dressed pram/bike/buggy: 1, Egyptian Mummy; 2, Star Wars; 3, Egyptian camel. Community float: 1, Aliens; 2, English Garden. Best decorated car/quad: 1, Shrek; 2, Beauty and the Beast; 3, Wedding car/Land Rover. Best artistic float: 1, Out of this World; 2, Tory Trolls; 3, Shrek. Most outstanding home-made costume: 1, Belle, Beauty and the Beast; 2, Dekka Pape, Tory Trolls; 3, Gingerbread man. Best dressed collector: 1, Haltwhistle Town Twinning; 2, Land Girls. Trailer float: 1, English garden; 2, Shrek. Pub float: 1, Tory Club Trolls; 2, The Railway, Egyptians; 3, Black Bull, Beauty and the Beast.

Treasure Hunt: 1, The Alstonians. Carnival quiz: 1, The Jubilee. Window Competition: 1, Something Special. Industrial: 1, Marion Sloan.