Thousands of people flocked to Rickmansworth last weekend to enjoy the canal festival but for many years the town’s community celebrations included a carnival procession – and today we remember one that took place in the 1980s.

These pictures from our archive show the 1981 procession and feature the traditional array of lorry trailers converted into floats carrying people dressed up in fancy dress, marching bands, morris dancers as well as some more unexpected sights – including the Carnival Queen trying her hand at fly casting.

Take a look through these pictures from the procession that took place 42 years ago and you may spot someone you recognise, maybe even yourself if you were part of the parade.

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