GIRLS of all ages had something to sing about at Milford on Sea carnival when they struck a musical note to win the fancy dress prizes and the applause of the huge crowds who lined the procession through the village on Saturday evening.

The youngsters of the Milford pre-school were over the rainbow to win best overall float prize with their Wizard of Oz tableau while Wannabe Spice Girls Mary-Kate Hobby (Posh), Natalie Shiner (Ginger), Chloe Jeffcock (Baby), Amelia Sutton (Scary), and Sophie Boothroyd (Sporty) won the youth walking entry.

And the doyennes of the village Women's Institute gave a new twist to the term cocktail party when they dressed up to represent their favourite tipples earning first prize for their spirit of the WI' float with Black Widow' Iris Wilson winning the award for the best costume.

Other prize winners included the Bathroom Boutique's Roman spa, the big babies from Milford Social Club, the Strong family's Mary Poppins ensemble, the Iced Ink circus troupe of Henry Barnett, Lorna Moon and Craig Foot and the Kid Ease day nursery whose Peter Pan was judged child with the happiest face.

Carnival queen Lauren Bannon, 16, who had earlier taken centre stage on the village green singing with her Jazz Fairies band, took pride of place in the parade flanked by attendant Alana Lunn, 19, and May Princess Emily Gates, 11.

As the parade wound its way through the streets bathed in late afternoon sun and echoing to the skirling Ringwood Pipe Band, carnival secretary Sally Reed said: "I think it is as good as ever. There are some very impressive floats."