Thousands flock to new-look Newport town carnival

Thousands of revellers poured into Newport for the town's annual carnival, which saw the return of the first Carnival Queen from 1972.

The 40th carnival saw bumper crowds after the jamboree was made free for the first time in 30 years.

Committee members Graham Lee and Irene Whittington said they had scrapped admission fees to coincide with the event's 40th anniversary and also to help families during the recession. The carnival also saw its biggest number of trade stalls.

Graham Lee, joint carnival committee chairman, said: "We have had a very good turnout. So far it's been fantastic and especially as we've been celebrating 40 years.

"It's been a lot better than last year and we moved it forward a week to coincide with the jubilee. We have had a record number of floats and a record number of stalls." The carnival's first Queen, Louise Cameron, who comes from Newport but now lives in Telford, returned to the event to mark the special occasion.

"I come back to the carnival whenever I can but I had never been on a float before Saturday," she said.

"It was quite different when I was carnival queen because there wasn't even a Saturday procession then, it was held on a Friday." She also crowned his year's Queen, Emily Rodwell. She was joined by carnival king Matthew Robinshaw.

Newport resident Michelle Neal said: "It's the first time I've been because I've recently moved here and it's really good."