EVEN if there had been a downpour on Saturday, Penwortham Gala would still have been an extravaganza of family fun with floats, displays, music and dance events.

Dozens of people followed the colourful carnival, complete with floats and fun-seekers in fancy dress, as it meandered through the streets from Hill Road South to Hurst Grange Park.

And the 5th Penwortham Band provided music along the procession route to the delight of people on the sidelines.

Penwortham's mayor, councillor David Bretherton, opened the event and youngsters were kept amused with fun martial arts displays, a Punch and Judy show and Sutty's Shooting Stars -- the local team of zany clowns.

Chorley dance school Just Dance put on a display involving children aged seven to 17 and the youngsters had lots of fun dancing to modern tracks.

Local girl Zoe Sumner, 14, was crowned Gala Queen and looked a picture alongside little Lynette Peet, 11, as princess with their attendants Sian Pugh, Keeley Vass and Leanne Coyle.

A prize was given out to best fancy dress -- which went to Rebekah McCrimmon, from Kingsfold Primary, in Penwortham, for her sweet impression of a Liquorice Allsort.

The sound in the park was provided by DJ Derek who played a funky pop set.

John Mulholland, gala organiser, said: "Everybody that came along had a smashing time.

"There was fun and laughter in the air and plenty of charity stalls selling things so it was also in aid of good causes."