THIS year the Marketeers Carnival Club will be looking to retain their crown after winning the hotly-contested best local cart for their effort Consider Yourself (Dickensian) in 2018.

The Ramblers Carnival Club came second with The Greatest Showman-themed cart Barnum’s Parade, while Vagabonds CC’s Fiesta De Los Toros came third.

It was a tough night for two of Bridgwater Carnival’s biggest clubs, with an electrical failure on Highway To Hell by Gremlins CC, and Renegades CC’s amazing Ganesh’s Journey Home cart breaking down near the start of the procession route.

Both will be aiming to be back among the trophies this year.

In 2018 Wills Carnival Club won the Tableau Cart category with a Gettysburg-inspired cart.

If this year’s Carnival Concerts, the Ramblers Carnival Club will once again be among the favourites, having walked away with the White Hart Cup for their Baile De Favela song scena which featured impressive samba-style drumming booming through the Town Hall.

They narrowly pipped the Gremlins CC with 1638 Lost Treasure of Tortuga Island, and for the second successive year Renegades CC came third with Spirit of Togetherness.

Mike Crocker, president of Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival, said: “Firstly I would like to thank all of the clubs, dance troupes and front of curtain acts who have taken part in the 2019 Bridgwater Carnival Concerts and for providing such top class entertainment to our audiences, which have collectively topped 5,000 people over the fortnight.

“The entire cast has been a true credit to carnival and to the town of Bridgwater.

“Saturday 2 November is the night the carnival comes to town, and I couldn’t be more excited.

“This is a night when everyone can forget all of their troubles for a few hours, marvel at the incredible sights, and get carried away by the infectious atmosphere.

“I am sure everyone will have a great night at the carnival in Bridgwater, the home of carnival.”

Make sure to check out the Bridgwater Mercury website for the results.