PURITON Primary School took home the top two places in this year Bridgwater schools Carnival Mask competition.

Each year schools from Bridgwater and the surrounding area are given a blank mask to decorate. The schools let the children decide on the themes and once they are complete, they are dotted around various locations in Bridgwater to form the Bridgwater Carnival Mask Trail.

All 23 of the large carnival masks are currently on display in the EDF Visitor Centre in Angel Place.

Fourteen local schools have taken part in the mask designing which saw children using different techniques to decorate the large masks, which are similar to traditional Venetian style carnival masks. Timeless Images have kindly donated a prize for the winning trail entry.

This year Puriton Primary School nabbed the top two places, with first prize going to an African-themed one which was inspired by the school's link with a fellow school in Kenya.

Their Guy Fawkes themed effort complete with bonfire twigs picked up second and third place went to Brent Knoll Church of England School with a 'Birds of Paradise' mask.

Carnival president Malcolm Cattle said: “This year more than ever we have been trying to engage with local children, to really get them excited about carnival and understand what it’s all about.

"We visited local schools giving talks about the carnival, its history and how its changed as well as giving them the chance to try on some costumes.

"I never ceased to be amazed by the talent and ideas these schools come up with - it was tough to pick a winner!" he said.