Thousands of people packed the brightly-lit streets of Narberth on Saturday evening and revelled in the Yuletide merriment of the town's annual winter carnival. With a police car which became festooned in silly string as an escort, the Christmas spectacle was headed by the Milford Haven Town Band and the town's firefighters aboard their snow-making pump. But unfortunately, the 13th annual event proved unlucky for the organisers, as although the rain had cleared and the parade was able to make its way around the town in the dry, the number of floats competing was down on previous years. Neverthless, there was still plenty to amuse as the four imaginatively-created lorry-borne entries were joined by a sizeable turnout of colourful fancy dress walkers, the lively Samba Galez, two gleaming steam traction engines, fire-eating stuntman Jacob Cawkwell, who drew gasps of amazement for his skills, and of course everyone's favourite, Father Christmas, who was accompanied by his Snow Queen, 15-year-old Shaylee Bradshaw. Narberth had got into carnival mood early on in the day with a feast of entertainment at the Queen's Hall, while the festivities continued after the parade had finished with a dazzling firework display, co-ordinated by the town's Westcoast Fireworks. The Woodscross Carnival Club, with carnival chairman Frieda John and secretary Gwyneth Johns on board, once again stole the show with their ingeniously created 'Spirit in the Sky' float, which saw them win not only £100 for the best lorry over 17-feet, but also the president's cup for best overall. Llysyfran YFC drove off with best small float and £75 for their 'A Team' entry, while the Pirates of the Caribbean (the Dobson and Davies families) stole the £50 treasure which was first prize in the best walking group class. Snorbitz, the magnificent St. Bernard dog, who proved such a great hit with the crowds last year was back wowing (or should it be woofing?) them again. This year, three-year-old Snorbitz from Pembroke Dock had a mountain rescue entry, complete with injured Santa on a sleigh, which earned him and his owners, Joyce and Terry Lefort, and friend Julie Hamer, the best adult group entry and £25. But one of the youngest entrants in the procession must surely have been three-month-old Archie Dilks, of Tenby, who as 'Mistletoe and Wine', won best child and £25. Carnival secretary, Gwyneth Johns, said that although the atmosphere in the town was 'wonderful' and people had enjoyed themselves, she was personally disappointed that there were not as many floats as usual competing. "It was certainly one of the smallest turnouts there has been and I was surprised there were not as many floats, especially as we had had a wonderful afternoon in the Queen's Hall," she said, adding that a team of volunteers had been working since 6 am to get the town ready. "We hope we can entice some more entrants next year and if anyone has any good ideas then they will be more than welcome on the committee," she added. As well as bringing a ray of sunshine to a dull November day, the winter carnival raises money for charity, and this year's good causes set to benefit are the Narberth Youth Theatre and Pembrokeshire Stroke Club.