Crowds fill the streets for colourful Bridgwater Carnival

The largest illuminated carnival in Europe took place last night in Somerset. Thousands of people lined the streets to enjoy the spectacle.

Plenty more were watching online as this year the event was streamed live for the first time.

Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival is the oldest event of its kind in the United Kingdom. Credit: ITV News

Gigantic, mesmerising illuminated carts paraded through the streets - with music, colour and lights in abundance.

Here's a flavour of the what the event was like:

People travelled from all over the world to see the procession with some having come from Miami and even Australia this year.

The carnival has the reputation for being one of the largest illuminated processions in the world. Credit: ITV News
Various research projects and studies have concluded that Bridgwater Carnival is worth an estimated £4 million annually to the local economy. Credit: ITV News

There were 46 carts and 116 exhibits in total stretching a mile long. Here's another video showing the vibrant procession:

THE FIGURES BEHIND THE CARNIVAL

The all singing, all dancing, all moving style of carnival entry. Credit: ITV News

This year over 30 street entertainers, musicians and bands warmed up the crowds up in the town centre on carnival day as the anticipation grew for the main procession.

13,000 kilowatts of electricity powered the 50 carnival carts taking part in last year's carnival procession. Credit: ITV News
In 1903 the first electric light bulb was used on an entry in the Bridgwater Carnival procession. Credit: ITV News
The origins of Bridgwater Carnival can be traced back to the Gunpowder Plot of 5 November. Credit: ITV News
Distance wise, the procession route was just over 1.7 miles long. Credit: ITV News