Giant red ants, a 4m high robot and women dressed as pineapples, Margate Carnival is always full of surprises, and this year was no exception.

The annual parade was a riot of colour and music as about 80 floats and marching bands wound their way along the seafront from Westbrook to Palm Bay on Sunday afternoon, watched by thousands of spectators along the route.

Crowd numbers were boosted even more around The Piazza as the event coincided with Margate Soul Weekend, which featured live music all day.

Several groups travelled from outside Kent to take part, including The Wonder Girls, a pompom troupe from Bognor Regis, Shademakers, a German-based group who specialise in huge, colourful costumes, and Paraiso, a Brazilian samba school based in North London.

Carnival organiser Mick Tomlinson has been involved with the event for 58 years, since he was nine.

This year will be his last, as he has stepped down as chairman.

The number of people in Margate on Sunday was phenomenal, even in areas where it’s traditionally quiet, such as Canterbury Road, there were thousands.

See this week's Thanet Extra for a picture special on the carnival.