The convoy of floats that had entertained hundreds of thousands of people since September, is heading back to storage sheds after the Guy Fawkes carnival circuit came to a close with a nail-biting finale in Weston- super-Mare last night.

More than 100,000 people flocked from as far as Wales, the Midlands and Yorkshire to take their place on the pavements of the seaside resort.

Locals and holidaymakers were united in their awe of the sparkling parade as it snaked its way from Locking Road along the seafront and through the town centre.

Adrian Evans, 57, had come to Weston with his family for a three-day break. He said: "It's so bustling, we've come from Leeds and we come every year to see relatives here. There's nothing quite like it up North apart from Blackpool illuminations."

The biggest names from the carnival circuit once again took centre stage and were joined by almost 140 other entries, including junior carnival clubs, community groups and masqueraders on foot.

Danni Milton, 13, from Bridgwater, had gone along with friends to watch the extravaganza unfold and said it was a close rival to her home town's carnival.

She said: "I've not been to Weston before but it's really good. Bridgwater is my favourite but I couldn't go this year. I still wanted to see all the floats though and I think Weston is pretty cool."

Rotarians from clubs across the county joined forces with young farmers to help out as carnival marshals, showing the unity between the different towns that make up the circuit, which includes North Petherton, Bridgwater and Wells and has become known as the Magnificent Seven.

Teams of street collectors swarmed the town urging onlookers to dig deep and support charities.

Organisers will be counting the takings today and hoping the credit crunch has not hit Weston too hard.

The rainbow glow from the parade bathed the silhouette of the fire-ravaged pier in light as the parade weaved its way through town, accompanied by groups of performers including Uphill Buglers and Shooting Stars Cheer Leaders.

Weston's RNLI also took part in the procession.

The exotic tones of Lung, the oriental-themed entry of Crusaders Carnival Club, impressed the crowd along with Marketeers Carnival Club's ghoulish Ghost Riders, which has proved a hit and won a string of trophies from first to third place.

Acting chairman of Weston Carnival, Brian Coombs, said he was hoping for the best event ever. "We have been very busy getting everything ready to go and it has all gone very well. We've had a bit of drizzle come in today but it's not been too bad. We are the last carnival so it has to be good."

After two hours of flamboyant costumes, pulsing music and tens of thousands of twinkling light bulbs, the curtain fell on carnival season 2008.