An estimated 30,000 people crowded the sun-soaked streets for Otley's 20th annual carnival on Saturday, making it the largest the town has seen for a long time.

The sound of bagpipes, steel drums and the Beatles filled the air as 18 colourful floats and walking groups wound their way through the streets.

And to top it all, event publicist Bryan Dexter has called this year's carnival the best yet.

He said: "I really can't think of anything that I would criticise, everything went so well and we are all really pleased.

"The weather was brilliant and people were generous with their donations so I think the day was a success in every way.

"The standard of the decorations and themes displayed by the various organisations in the parade together with the work involved to produce them never cease to amaze us and this year really was no exception.

"The atmosphere in the town and along the route was tremendous, the streets were crowded with townspeople and visitors all very appreciative of the spectacle and spirit of those watching.

"For the first time the Otley Carnival Committee was asking for donations at the entrance to the carnival field to meet ever increasing costs involved in putting on the event.

"The response by everyone was very good and the carnival committee would like to thank everyone for their generosity, the treasurer even managed a smile!

"All of this means that we should be able to support our chosen beneficiaries financially as generously as usual."

There was an extra special raffle prize this year - the new instalment of Harry Potter, thanks to Manor Books - and both children and adults queued up for tickets.

Events on the day included pony and fairground rides, children's entertainers and fun stalls and bouncy castles.

The parade travelled from Wharfedale Farmers Auction Market and gradually wound its way through the town to the gala field off Bridge Street, where the Pontefract Pipe Band played the floats into the arena.

The 2003 Otley Carnival queen, Yasmin Timmins, and her deputy queen, Emma Phimister, were crowned in front of the official party.

The West Yorkshire Police Dogs had people enthralled with their attacks on 'criminals' and their skills as members of the force.

Lynbar Majorettes and the Resolution Showcorps also performed.

Every year the money raised at the event is donated to charities in the town and this year the Otley Parish Church East Window Appeal and the 2nd Otley Scout Group will benefit.

The Grade One All Saints' Parish Church is the oldest building in Otley and its East window is in desperate need of repair.

The estimated cost of re-leading and repairing it is £65,000, to date £22,000 has been raised so far through various charity events.

The 2nd Otley Scout Group needs to raise funds to improve facilities at its Craven Street headquarters.

Meanwhile, the winner of the Wharfedale and Airedale Observer's People's Choice award was Westgate Primary for their Pied Piper Float.

Tthe Carnival window dressing competition was a big success with Tranmere Flowers receiving the Whitely Challenge Shield for being the overall winner.

A spokesman for Otley Carnival said: "The Carnival Committee would like to thank everyone for giving up their time. The judges said that the standard was very high, which made their task very difficult. They were impress-ed with the obvious effort that had been put in."

The Lyon Landscape Challenge Shield (presented to the best overall float or walking group in the parade.) The Whartons Primary School; Fun and Games.

Class I The Jack Barber Memorial Trophy (Any decorated float or walking group produced by an adult organisation) 1 The Yew Tree Pub, Austin Powers; 2 Wharfedale General Hospital, The Cavern and the Beatles; 3 Otley Little Theatre, Panto Time King Arthur; Highly Commended Clifton Drums, African Drumming.

Class II Chamber of Trade Challenge Shield (Any decorated float or walking group produced by a junior organisation, except schools) 1 Otley Swimming Club, Centenary 1903 - 2003; 2 Second Otley Scouts, 1913; Caley Rainbow Guides, Rainbows Around the World; Highly Commended Otley Methodist Scouts, Civil War.

Class III Sharon Weston Memorial Shield (any decorated float or walking group produced by a school) 1 Westgate Primary School, The Pied Piper; 2 Otley All Saints Primary School, The Weather; 3 Ashfield Primary School, Carribbean Calypso; Highly Commended Askwith Community Primary School, Monsters Inc.

Class IV Wharfedale Glass Challenge Shield (Collectors fancy dress individual or small groups) 1 Betty Brewster, Head Hunter; 2 Pat Marriott, Squaw; 3 Nicholas Lambourne, Men in Black, Highly Commended, Anita Lamb, Cowgirl.

Carnival Window Dressing competition.

Tranmere Flowers received the Whitely Challenge Shield for being the overall winner. The large window category saw Paddiwacks take first place in the Verity and Raynor Shield followed by Bondgate Pottery and Scope. The Rhodes Booth and Ramsbottom Ltd Shield for the medium window section was won by 111 Dimensions, followed by Bondgate Pottery and Something Different. The small window was won by Design in Stitches which was awarded the Patch and Buzz Shield, Paul Verity Opticians came second and Teale's came third.