A RECORD number of stalls made this year's Hopton carnival and fete a bumper event for the village.Thousands of people turned out to watch 12 floats and other vehicles in the parade from Warren Road to the village's playing field on Sunday.

A RECORD number of stalls made this year's Hopton carnival and fete a bumper event for the village.

Thousands of people turned out to watch 12 floats and other vehicles in the parade from Warren Road to the village's playing field on Sunday.

The crowds then descended on the field, close to the A12, for the fete and a look at the record 50 stalls set up at the site - 10 more than at last year's carnival.

The Endeavour Rangers marching band gave a display, while there were other performances by the Phoenix Karate Club and a tai chi group.

Dogs also had their day with a dog show and agility display.

The event was organised by the Yarmouth Lions Club and Hopton Parish Council.

Great Yarmouth Mayor Michael Jeal opened the fete and proceeded to look around the stalls.

Graham Gibbins, secretary of Yarmouth Lions, said: “It is the fourth year running that we have organised the fete in this way and this was the best in terms of support from the stall holders. There were 10 more than last year.”

He believed the fete was becoming increasingly popular becuase it had become an established date in people's diaries.

He said: “Probably because the event is becoming established on the third Sunday in August, it is becoming a regular fixture on the annual event calendar for fetes and carnivals.”

Among the entrants for the parade, which travelled along Warren Road, Station Road and Anglian Way, were the Endeavour Rangers and the Hopton Youth and Bowls Clubs.