THOUSANDS of people who poured onto the streets of North Petherton this evening (Saturday, November 11) to watch the annual carnival were left waiting 90 minutes before it started.

The delay was caused by an "ongoing incident" out of the organisers' control.

The procession had been due to start at 7pm but was put back until 8.30pm as the fire and rescue service dealt with the incident.

Posts on the North Petherton Facebook account kept spectators informed.

Early on one post said: "Police and fire are NOT looking at cancelling the event. Unfortunately this is out of our control.

"Once we have an update on the situation we will be on our way for carnival 2023."

It added: "Carnival is NOT cancelled. We are working with local authorities to get an update to everyone as soon as possible, thank you for waiting with us and we hope to be on the move shortly."

And shortly before 8.30pm another post read: "Thank you for waiting with us the incident has been dealt with once it’s been cleared we will be on the move! Thank you."

Earlier in the evening large queues of traffic built up on the A38 approach to North Petherton and the M5.

Carnival cars were waiting for the off and hundreds of cars lined the roadside outside North Petherton.