Twin carnivals brought double delight to thousands. In Taunton Harlequins carnival club Festival of the Lion King continued to gobble up top trophies but there was plenty of home-town talent, with New Beginnings taking the best local and best local tableau trophy with a delightful realisation of Camberwick Green.

Wiveliscombe Young Farmers added more celebrations to their 75th anniversary year by scooping the best local comic cup with an hilarious Trick or Treat float featuring a ghost, devils and glamorous witches.

Families from the village of Wheddon Cross saw their hard work rewarded when their Chinese themed entry Far East, won the float not exceeding 50ft.

Youngsters wore authentic-looking satin costumes, and the float, reflecting the roof-styles of old China, was ablaze with red lanterns.

John Lewis, carnival committee spokesman said: "The weather was very good, there were crowds of people all round the route, and a good time was had by all."

Charities to benefit will be Musgrove Park League of Friends, Headway, the national head injuries association, and CLIC Sargent which cares for children with leukaemia.

At Wincanton a big turnout reflected the good number of entries with plenty of home-towners and a remarkable selection of high quality masqueraders.

Britannia carnival club of Castle Cary scooped the overall champion ship.

TAUNTON RESULTS:

SPECIAL AWARDS – Premier: Harlequins CC, Ilminster (Festival of the Lion King).

Best walking: A&A CC (Pinball Express).

Float costumes: Harlequins CC.

Lorry build-up: Harlequins CC.

Miss Taunton's choice: Harlequins CC. Best local New Beginnings CC (Camberwick Green).

Best local comic: Wiveliscombe YFC (Trick or Treat).

Best local tableau: New Beginnings.

Best local walking: Generations CC (Apollo 4).

CLASSES – Feature: 1 Harlequin CC (Festival of the Lion King), 2 Sid Vale CC (Mickey's Express), 3 Eclipse CC (Medieval Legend).

Tableau: 1 St Peter's CC (Espana), 2 New Beginnings CC (Camberwick Green).

Comic: 1 One Plus One CC (Horsing Around), 2 Nutsford Nutters (Hey Big Suspender), 3 Poppe Inn CC (St Trinians).

Children youth/feature/tableau: 1 Rascals CC (Fright Night), 2 Brimgrovers CC (Whatever the Weather), 3 Tango Juvenile CC (Horror Express).

Open: George Brimacombe (Fairground Roundabout).

Walking single adult: 1 Roger Muspratt Hamilton (Masquerade Ball), 2 Judy Williams (Touch of Irish), 3 Andy Tizzard (Carnival Misfit).

Walking single juvenile: 1 Rachel Cox (Starlight Showgirl), 2 Hannah Jackson (Carnival Showtime), 3 Matthew Parker (Jewel of the East).

Walking pair: 1 Hannah and Kieran Wood (Oriental Autumn), 2 Dave and Lisa Arney (Strings Attached).

Walking group: 1 Extreme CC (Demons After Dark), 2 St John Ambulance Cadet Division (St John Teeny Boppers), 3 Fantasy CC (Entertainers).

Walking wheeled (non motorised): 1 A&S CC (Pinball Express), 2 Zem CC (Pantomime), 3 Motiv8 Minis (Super Starz).

Feature, tableau or comic (not exceeding 50 ft): 1 Wheddon Cross CC (Far East), 2 Staplegrove Scouts (The Theme of James Bond), 3 Albermarle Centre (Hocus Pocus).

Traders: 1 Pink Gem Limos, 2 Bob Davies, Haygrass Nursery, 3 Blakes Coaches.

Children/youth, walking: Blackbrook Guides (Blackbrook Cats).

Wincanton results:

SPECIAL AWARDS – overall champion: Britannia CC (Joseph).

Walking: Alex Morgan (Spirit of the Butterfly).

Best costume: Foxy Lady (Bat out of Hell).

Best trade: Jeans Deliveries, Mere (Same Day Delivery).

Best-dressed driver: Revellers CC (Diamonds of India).

Spectators' choice: Just-Georges CC (Moo-Lamb Rouge).

Best costume, juniors: Carina Haines (Hestia Goddess of Fire).

CLASSES – Feature: 1 Britannia CC (Joseph), 2 Hot Rock CC (Firecracker), 3 Revellers CC (Diamonds of India).

Comic: 1 Just Georges CC (Moo-Lamb Rouge), 2 Cary Comedians (Discobabies), 3 Millers' Inn (Country Bumpkins at the Millers' Inn).

Juvenile feature/comic aged four-10: 1 Allsorts CC (Sun Dance), 2 Mr and Mrs Nicholas, Frome (Land of Make Believe), 3 St John Ambulance (Combine Harvester).

Juvenile feature/comic age 11-16: 1 Kipling JCC (Follow the Band), 2 2nd Shaftesbury Guides (Sweets and Candy), 3 Castle Cary Young Farmers (Greasy Wheels).

Junior masquerader under 16: 1 Sammy Callow (Game on Game over), 2 Becky Callow (Tiffany, a Plume of Colour), 3 Alex Morgan (Spirit of the Butterfly).

Adult: 1 Abbie Haines (Starburst), 2 Coxy Lady (Bat out of Hell), 3 R. L Ives (Jack O'Lantern).

Adult masqueraders two or more: 1 Krackers CC (Tofpac), 2 Starlight CC (Spiderella), 3= NJAMB CC (Sungods of the Universe) and Newcomb's CC (Old Spice).

Junior masqueraders two or more: 1 Ist Wincanton Cubs (Clowning Around), 2 WADS Kids (Wing-Kan-Tong), 3 Kathryn Loder and friends (Fifties Fever).

Props, non motorised: 1 Little Legs (Castles in the Sky), 2 Next Generation CC (Spooky Choo Express), 3 Zoe and Naomi Cox (Roaring Twenties).

Props walking motorised: 1 Carousel CC (2x2), 2 Enspired CC (Danc-tation), 3 Magnum CC (Ugly Bug Ball).

Majorettes: 1 Frome Charisma, 2 Stardust, Midsomer Norton, 3 Frome Fascination Twirlers.