Lyme Regis torchlight parade kicks off carnival

Lyme Regis Carnival Week kicked off on Saturday, August 6, with the Lyme Regis Torchlight Procession.

The procession started at the entrance to the Langmoor and Lister Gardens and was led by the town's mayor and mayor's consort, Cllr Michaela Ellis and husband Allan, along with the town cryer, Allan Vian.

A crowd of participants walked with flaming torches through the gardens and down onto the sandy beach where a ring of fire was formed. Torchbearers then cast their torches to ignite a giant beacon on the beach.

Children under 16 were also able to take part in the procession with LED light batons.

The procession kicked off the start of Carnival Week for Lyme Regis which runs until Saturday, August 13.

The aim of Lyme Regis Regatta and Carnival Committee is to put on a week of fun filled activities and entertainment in August while raising money for local good causes.

Last year the week of events was able to raised a whopping £12,00 which was shared to local causes. Since 2004, £167,000 has been donated to the committee to local causes.

Earlier in the year the committee held other events including the Easter Bonnet Parade and May Fete.

The committee are independent, self-funded and volunteer based and rely on a team of helpers to ensure carnival week runs smoothly.

A whole host of events have been hosted as part of the week so far including a Whacky Wheelbarrow Race, an egg catching competition and history tour from the town crier.

The events continue until Saturday, with free fishing boat rides, pilates on the beach, welly wanging and a duck race taking among just some of the events taking place today. An egg catching competition and Disco at the Marine will be taking place on Friday.

A Grand Carnival Procession will start at 8pm on Saturday, August 13, to close the town's Carnival Week with a parade of hundreds of people making their way down Pound Street, Broad Street, through Cobb Gate and along the seafront to Cobb Square.