Some groups spend all year making their floats for Wigton Carnival but one prize-winning group called on ‘the force’ to help them put together their entry in just two days.

Jodie Moffat’s family managed to create a stunning X-Wing space fighter from the Star Wars films in a matter of hours, with their effort impressing the judges and winning them second prize at this year’s event.

“My nine-year-old brother Ewan Armstrong is absolutely obsessed by Star Wars,” said Jodie.

“We only decided on Thursday that we were going to do it, it was a last-minute thing.”

The cast of Star Wars weren’t the only characters walking through the town’s main streets on Saturday.

Wigton was filled with film characters, monsters, gorillas, gnomes and cartoon characters – with the Queen also making an appearance.

Thousands of people lined King Street and High Street to watch the ever-popular carnival procession make its way through the town, with entertainment following at the Barton Laws playing fields.

The youngsters from Longthwaite Road Pre-School had an international flavour to their float this year, with the group coming up with a “small world” theme.

Corinne Carrick, one of the mums helping out, said: “There’s about 20 of us taking part. I know they’ve entered the carnival in the past and the children have been really excited. They’ve been looking forward to it all week.”

The song You’ve Got A Friend In Me was being blurted from the Toy Story float which contained the hit film’s full cast. Youngsters from the town decided to dress up as their favourite characters including Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Bo Peep and Ham.

Peter Haile, who was in charge of the float, said: “We do something every year and this is the fourth time we’ve done it.

“They all decided on Toy Story for this year and it’s taken weeks and weeks to put together.”

Among all the fun, one float was presenting a serious message. Joanne Thomlinson organised a float for the Bring John Home campaign – which is calling for Wigton man John Armstrong to be released from an Indian jail.

Joanne, John’s sister, said: “We always used to come in the carnival and John would come too. It was my friend’s idea that we should tie our float in with the campaign in the hope it will raise some more awareness.

“It will give John a massive boost seeing this, as we will send him the pictures.”