This wonderful picture gives a flavour of how popular Watford's annual carnival once was when thousands of people used to line the streets to watch the parade go past.

The Watford Observer is delighted to share pictures from the Watford Museum archive and this week we look back at this view of the parade in St Albans Road.

The museum's volunteer archivist Christine Orchard said: "Many people will have memories of the carnival parades that took place in Watford every year. Traffic along certain routes would be halted and crowds would line the roads to watch the decorated floats and cars pass by, sometimes a band too.

Watford Observer: The carnival being advertised in the High Street in 1962.The carnival being advertised in the High Street in 1962. (Image: Bob Nunn Collection / Watford Museum)

"Despite it being a regular occurrence we have just one image showing how busy the streets were. It is described as 'A 1950's carnival travelling along St Albans Road'.

"The parade is travelling towards the town, and was taken roughly level with Cecil Street and the turning into Lowestoft Road can be seen at the top of the image."

Watford Museum is open Thursday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm.