Scorching sunshine and family fun for everyone made this year's Dunstable Carnival a day to remember.

More than 10,000 people, young and old, went along to the Bank Holiday Monday event, at the Bennett Memorial Recreation Ground.

Sadly, one traditional feature was missing from the carnival, which is one of the town's biggest events of the year.

For, as previously reported in the Gazette, the carnival procession had to be cancelled, after only three groups applied to take part.

But with a sunshine-filled day and a packed programme of fun, the carnival still held its magic and pulled in the crowds.

A rainbow of brightly coloured balloons soared skywards after the official opening, as part of Dunstable Rotary Club's Grand Balloon Race.

Then an afternoon of entertainment got under way, with thrills, comedy, magic, music and dance events in three arenas.

Other attractions included a big fairground, bungee jumping on trampolines, crazy golf, inflatables, a children's quad bikes area, charity stalls, and food vans to keep hunger pangs at bay.

Dunstable Rotary Club sent a second batch of balloons floating into the sky in the middle of the afternoon, bringing the total released to more than 500.

This year's carnival was organised by Dunstable Town Council, and the team was very happy with how the day went.