AFTER a boggy start, the carnival atmosphere finally returned to Bury, dispelling doubts about its future.

Opened by the Mayor of Bury, Councillor Paul Nesbit, the Bury Times organised Carnival Gala Day attracted thousands of visitors to the Chesham Fields on Sunday (June 10).

Spectators were thrilled with combative displays of American Wrestling and Thai boxing and the versatility of the West Lancashire Dog Display Team.

And pictured enjoying one of the funfair rides is two-year-old Rebecca Hilton, one of the many visitors to the gala.

There was uplifting music from the Bury Music Concert Centre Band, a Tower FM roadshow, and even a chance for visitors to try their hand at go-karting and line dancing.

Popular fairground rides including a ghost train and rocket simulator added to the thrills and spills of the event, from which a proportion of proceeds will donated to the Bury Lions.

No event was held last year because of a lack of organisers and the Bury Carnival was thought to have been lost forever.

Bury Times events manager Julie Wheeler, who along with colleagues, helped bring the carnival back to Bury said: "It was an excellent day and thousands came along. Some were there all day and we got a lot of good feedback.

"We have been working on the event since November last year and it has been a labour of love. It's so important to keep family days like this up and running."