A trio of elephants lead a mammoth carnival through the streets of Great Yarmouth as smiles beamed and costumes sparkled in the sunshine.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Great Yarmouth Carnival swept through the town in a blaze of colour and sunshine. Photo: Liz CoatesGreat Yarmouth Carnival swept through the town in a blaze of colour and sunshine. Photo: Liz Coates (Image: Liz Coates)

The town pulled on its best spangly outfit for the Latin-themed procession with the weather playing its part and adding to the warmth of the samba sounds.

Giant lumbering puppets headed up the cast of players and dancers, creating an eye-catching spectacle that drew crowds to the town and saw banks of cameras and phones capture the action.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Great Yarmouth Carnival swept through the town in a blaze of colour and sunshine. Photo: Liz CoatesGreat Yarmouth Carnival swept through the town in a blaze of colour and sunshine. Photo: Liz Coates (Image: Liz Coates)

The parade took some two hours to navigate various crossings and make its way from the Hippodrome Circus, along Regent Road, King Street and to St George’s Theatre.

Great Yarmouth and Norwich have been jointly named as a circus city to mark 250 years of the art form and the parade was just one of a host of activities and entertainments going on in the town.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Great Yarmouth Carnival swept through the town in a blaze of colour and sunshine. Photo: Liz CoatesGreat Yarmouth Carnival swept through the town in a blaze of colour and sunshine. Photo: Liz Coates (Image: Liz Coates)

King Street has been closed for the day to allow street entertainment, stalls and workshops as part of Festa Fiesta, staged by Seachange Arts.

The jamboree sees a mix of street arts, music, and circus going on at multiple venues with a focus on St George’s Theatre. the Drill House in York Road and Yarmouth Library where there is a community fayre.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Great Yarmouth Carnival swept through the town in a blaze of colour and sunshine. Photo: Liz CoatesGreat Yarmouth Carnival swept through the town in a blaze of colour and sunshine. Photo: Liz Coates (Image: Liz Coates)

At 8pm the action moves to the Drill House for Tipping Point’s Ockham’s Razor (pay what you can £3 to £12) followed by the Festa Fiesta Dance Party at St George’s Theatre (£5 in advance, £7.50 on the door).

The ten day arts festival, now in its sixth year, spans painting, music , dance and drama.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Great Yarmouth Carnival swept through the town in a blaze of colour and sunshine. Photo: Liz CoatesGreat Yarmouth Carnival swept through the town in a blaze of colour and sunshine. Photo: Liz Coates (Image: Liz Coates)

For a full programme visit the website by clicking here.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Great Yarmouth Carnival swept through the town in a blaze of colour and sunshine. Photo: Liz CoatesGreat Yarmouth Carnival swept through the town in a blaze of colour and sunshine. Photo: Liz Coates (Image: Liz Coates)