It may have started a little late, but Frome Carnival proved to be a real firecracker. Late road closures and problems with the queens' floats delayed the start by half-an-hour but once the procession took to the streets, it lit the night in spectacular style.

Hot Rock carnival club from Gillingham scooped top honours with the explosive power of its Firecracker feature float paying tribute to the Chinese inventors of gunpowder and fireworks.

Carina Haines, eight, proved just as hot as Hestia Goddess of Fire, scooping the overall winner of the masqueraders classes.

Frome has a big carnival royal family with children's queen Lauren Wood and maids of honour Billie Marklew, Demi White, Shannon Whitaker and Jodie Ayres.

There is also carnival gran Carolyn Clements, main parade carnival queen Emma Viner and attendants Laurie- Beth Baber, Charlene Bottle, Kirsty Evans and Katrina Wells, as well as Miss Teenager Alisha Turton and her attendant Lauren Chapman. The Wessex Grand Prix circuit queen Kirsty Tealey also joined in the fun.

Despite the delayed start, new procession secretary Mike Bishop managed to meet his pledge to ensure awards were presented earlier than usual, five minutes after his goal of 10.30pm.

That ensured those Dorset floats which had to meet Dorset police escorts to take them back into the county, could meet their 11pm deadline.

Frome carnival chairman June Barnes believes the police escorts are unnecessary. She said: "Surely it is safer to travel at night when there is less traffic? The floats are well-lit and have escorts."

And after an Indian summer smiled on the afternoon children's procession, as well as the main evening parade, Mr Bishop said: "The weather could not have been better, it was a great day."

The carnival day collection raised nearly £3,900, about £1,300 down on last year despite as big a crowd as ever. Mr Bishop said: "Presumably this is due to the economic climate as the weather could not be blamed."

Results:

Trophies – Best in float classes: Hot Rock CC (Firecracker).

Best costume on float: Just Georges CC (Moo Lamb Rouge).

Overall masqueraders' costume: Carina Haines (Hestia Goddess of Fire).

Adult masquerader or masqueraders: Raymond Iles (Jack-o-Lantern).

Juvenile masquerader or masqueraders: Carina Haines (Hestia Goddess of Fire).

Most entertaining comic: Just Georges CC (Moo Lamb Rouge).

Best Wessex entry: Carina Haines (Hesta Goddess of Fire).

Best-turned out local majorettes: Frome Charisma Twirlers.

Best turn-out non local majorettes: Wessex International Majorettes.

Best-dressed driver of a decorated towing vehicle: Hot Rock CC (Firecracker).

Spirit of carnival: Kipling Juvenile CC (Follow the Band).

Best-dressed single or pair of collectors: The Arab Collector Number 4.

Best-turned out band: Bournemouth St Johns Ambulance Band.

Classes – comic: 1 Just Georges CC, (Moo Lamb Rouge); 2 The Wildthings Family (Bee Geezzz).

Feature: 1 Hot Rock CC, (Firecracker); 2 Revellers CC, (Diamonds of India) 3, Cara and Friends (Toybox).

Juvenile: 1 Kipling Juvenile CC (Follow the Band); 2 Little Leggs (Castles in the Sky).

Local: 1 Rascals CC (Land of Make-Believe).

Trade: 1 Wookey Hole Caves (Santaland at Wookey Hole); 2 Kevin Corcoran (Corcoran Carpets).

Group masqueraders: 1 En-Spired CC (Danc-tation The Show); 2 Carousel CC (Two by Two); 3 Magnum CC (Ugly Bug Ball).

Juvenile masqueraders: 1 Jake and Georgia Barrow, Charlie and Kayleigh Issacs, Robbie James, Ryan and Chloe Gilroy and Rebecca and Katie Hind (Halloween Special); 2 J McDonald (Long Meadow Tara); 3 Frome St John Ambulance (Teazel Badger Sett).

Adult group of masqueraders: 1 Natajacks CC (Welcome to the Drive); 2 Aliens CC (Cinders); 3 Cary Comedians (Not in it to Win it – Just Carnival Spirit).

Juvenile masquerader: 1 Carina Haines (Hesta Goddess of Fire); 2 Alex Morgan (Spirit of the Butterfly); 3, James Milner (Shark Atteck)..

Adult masquerader: 1 Raymond Iles (Jack-O-Lantern); 2 Foxy Lady CC (Bat Out of Hell); 3 Abbie Haines (Starburst).