CARNIVAL fun started on Saturday morning at Liphook Junior School, with a record number of children donning colourful costumes for the annual fancy dress competition.

This year, for the first time, homemade costumes far outweighed the ones bought in shops.

Children arrived dressed as popular book and film characters, ghosts, witches, skeletons, vampires, cats as well as a group of busy bees, turtles and bugs.

Brought to life were children’s favourites like The Hungry Caterpillar, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Toy Story, The Italian Job, Ninja Turtles and Mog the Cat

The youngest-ever carnival participant was six-day-old baby George, dressed as a pumpkin, who received a highly commended certificate and badge.

Also steeling the show was little Woodie, six month old Sam, as well as ten week old Baby Samuel, as The Hungry Caterpillar, supported by his two-year-old sister Abigail as the butterfly and seven-year-old brother Connor, who came second in the group category.

Two-year-old Elliot was given first prize for his homemade Minion costume while Taylor (4), Lexie (8) and Layla (3) received highly commended for their wonderful Lion, Witch and Wardrobe costumes.

Six-year-old Olivia and Ruby won first prize in the group category for a larger than life Mog The Cat costume, while Max (5) and Lottie (3) received third prize for their Minis from The Italian Job film.

Seven-year-old spaceman Noah, inspired by Tim Peake, won a first prize and his ten year old sister Eloise received the Best Overall trophy for her stunning pink troll costume – both were homemade. Noah also took part in the evening parade enjoying the applause and cheers from the crowds, celebrating Carnival Magic.

The Carnival Committee choice award went to the trio dressed up as characters from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

Carnival committee chairman Karen Feeney said: “A big thank-you goes to Liphook Infant and Junior School staff, as well as headteacher Michelle Frost, for making our popular children’s fancy dress event the success it was again,”

Fancy dress winners:

Two and Under Category

Highly Commended – George (6 days old) Pumpkin

1st Elliot (2) Minion

2nd Jessica (2½) Jess The Cat (pictured right)

3rd Benjamin (1) Slug

3-5 Year Category

Highly Commended – Isobella (3) Dorothy Wizard of Oz

1st Eva (4) Rainbow Pony

2nd Lily (5) The Depraved

3rd Frederick (5) Evil Wizard Vampire

6 and Over Category

Highly Commended – Eden (7) Skeleton with a Heart

1st Noah (7) Spaceman

2nd Dan (9) Robot

3rd Angelina (8) Vampire/ Zombie Bride

Groups

Highly Commended – Lion Witch & Wardrobe Taylor (4) Lion; Lexie (8) Witch; Layla (3) Wardrobe

1st Mog The Cat Olivia (6) and Ruby (6)

2nd The Hungry Caterpillar Baby Samuel (10 weeks) Caterpillar; Abigail (2) Butterfly; Connor (7) Food

3rd The Italian Job Minis Max (5) and Lottie (3)

Best Overall Trophy

Pink Troll – Eloise (10)

Carnival Committee

Choice Trophy

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory – Harrison (8) Willie Wonka; Ruari (6) Oompa Loompa; April (4) Veruca Salt