A PONY decked out as a unicorn brought a touch of magic to Carnforth Carnival 2018.

With pink painted hooves, purple horn and multicoloured mane, Twinkle was among the star attractions of Saturday's carnival parade.

Residents lined the streets to watch floats and bands pass by from the likes of Carnforth's Scouts and Air Cadets, Morecambe and Heysham Sea Cadets, Burch Tree Vets, the Salvation Army Brass Band, drumming band Samba Espirito, and Carnforth Rangers FC under sevens, who won best in parade.

Amelia Dalby was crowned carnival queen for 2018, alongside princess Amelia Edmondson, rosebud Mila Stubbs and attendant Jack Simmons.

The Spar shop on Highfield Road staged a display of wartime memorabilia to tie in with the centenary of World War One ending. Staff crafted poppies from red tissue paper, a wooden tank and silhouettes of soldiers, while locals on the Highfield estate loaned old photographs and war medals, said assistant manager Becky Valente.

"There was an absolutely wonderful response," she told the Gazette. "It was amazing the way the community got behind the idea."

Around 1,500 people gathered at the carnival stage after the parade to enjoy live music, fairground rides, ice cream and the England v Sweden World Cup football match, said carnival secretary Liam Law.