Who cares if it rains on our parade!

2:34pm Monday 23rd October 2006

THERE was an ocean of umbrellas lining the streets at this year's rain soaked Titchfield Carnival.

But despite the water-logged roads and the waves of wet onlookers the weather still couldn't dampen the spirit of one of Hampshire's oldest processions from the Titchfield Bonfire Boys.

Thousands of spectators donned their raincoats and wellingtons and descended upon Titchfield, near Fareham for the popular carnival, which in previous, sunnier, years attracts some 25,000 people.

Amongst the floats entered into the afternoon's procession through the picturesque village were the Medina Marching Band, a float in the guise of Pirates of the Carib -Meon and an entry of ghoulish street dancers performing Michael Jackson's Thriller.

The carnival procession was moved from a Monday to a Sunday this year in a bid to increase the number of visitors and fill more collection boxes.

Chairman of the Titchfield Carnival Society, John Osman said the carnival was grateful for the support of the spectators and the volunteers.

"The weather has made it more disappointing than previous years but everyone is still determined to carry on with the carnival which is now in its 127 th year," he said.