HOME favourites Harlequin CC were crowned champions of Ilminster Carnival on Saturday night, with their dazzling Samba Carnaval.

They won the feature class and the Challenge Cup for best in procession, as well as a clutch of other trophies.

The carnival has been hailed as a success by organisers and a mild evening brought out a bumper crowd.

But the night did not pass without incident.

For full, exclusive reports don't miss the eight-page carnival special in the News on October 11.Click here for a special Ilminster Carnival photo gallery

CARNIVAL RESULTS:

Class 1 feature, G.D Pearce & K.C White Cup - 1 Samba Carnival (Harlequin CC, Ilminster); 2 The Flight of the Phoenix (Phoenix CC, Broadclyst); 3 Russian Around (Brewers Arms CC, South Petherton).

Class 2 tableau, Richard Townsend Cup - 1 Starlight Express (New Beginnings CC, Taunton); 2 Wonka (St Peters CC, Yeovil).

Class 3 comic, E.F Britten Cup - 1 I'm So Egg-Cited (One Plus One CC, Ilminster); 2 Hot Stuff (Poppe Inne CC, Tatworth); 3 Jungle Mix (DT6 CC, Bridport).

Class 4 open, Crouch & Son Cup - 1 Take the Gamble (Club 2000 CC, Chard); 2 Naughty 'n' Nice (South Petherton Sports & Social CC).

Class 5 youth - 1 Shamrock (Rascals CC, Ilminster); 2 Rio-Rio (Brimgrovers Junior CC, Shepton Beauchamp and Ilminster).

Class 6 trade, Ilminster Chamber of Commerce Cup - 1 Wookey Hole Caves.

Class 7 wheeled, Friends of Vaughan Lee Cup - 1 HMS Are We There Yet (Joshua Lee, Ilminster); 2 Joseph (Zem CC, Chard); 3 Excalibur (Parkers CC, Ilminster).

Class 8 group, Mynster Motors Cup - 1 Frozen in Time (Xtreme CC, Ilminster); 2 Shout for Cabaret (Motiv8 CC, Yeovil); 3 Clean Sweep (Spangles CC, Ilminster).

Class 8A group three to seven, Norman Bellew & Ilminster Warehouse Trophy - 1 Who Let the Cows Out? (Ilminster Young Farmers).

Class 9 pairs, Ilminster Cash & Carry Warehouse Cup - 1 Ice Magic (The Fellowship CC, Taunton); 2 Belles of the Ball (Catherine & Patricia Male, Ilminster); 3 The Roaring Twenties (Sisters CC, Ilminster).

Class 10 single, Townsend Cup - 1 Divine Warrior (Lisa Arney, Taunton); 2 The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe (Rachel Cox, Chard); 3 Queen of the Board (Young Gems, Ilminster).

Class 12 majorettes - 1 Goldstars (Chard); 2 Silhouettes (Merriott); 3 Dazzling Sapphires (Ilminster).

Best Local, Archer Cup - 1 Samba Carnival (Harlequin CC); 2 Shamrock (Rascals CC); 3 I'm So Egg-Cited (One Plus One CC).

Best Costume In Procession, Bee & Squire Akhurst Cup - Frozen in Time (Xtreme CC); Best Music On A Local Float, George Widgery Memorial Cup - Samba Carnival (Harlequin CC); Spirit Of Carnival, Starlight CC Shield - Shamrock (Rascals CC); Best Local Walking, Marion Loveless Cup - Frozen in Time (Xtreme CC); Best Costume On Float, John Hawkins Cup - Starlight Express (New Beginnings CC); Best Routine In Procession, Paula White Trophy - Samba Carnival (Harlequin CC); Best Make-Up In Procession, Harlequin CC Plate - Frozen in Time (Xtreme CC).

Best Dressed Shop Window - 1 Infinity; 2 St Margaret's Somerset Hospice.

Challenge Cup, Charlie Hurlstone Cup - Samba Carnival (Harlequin CC).