THE inaugural Prestwich Festival came to an end this weekend with a hugely popular parade and carnival.

Organisers of the carnival have proclaimed this year’s event to be the most successful ,with a huge turnout watching the parade through the village.

The carnival was the culmination of the first ever Prestwich Festival which kicked off on May 17 with Prestwich Clough Day.

Over five weeks a series of events have been held across the village including a farmers’ market, concerts, free archery and over 50 events.

David Curtis, carnival organiser, said: "It was a great end to the festival.

"The carnival was certainly as good as last year, although we didn’t have the same weather as 2008.

"The turnout for the parade was wonderful, people on the parade said they had never seen so many people watching.

"In the park the crowds were amazing as well."

The carnival kicked off on Saturday in St Mary’s Park with a football tournament with 200 youngsters organised by FC United of Manchester.

On Sunday the football theme continued with the traditional match between Prestwich Marauders and Bury AFC.

The parade was also held on Sunday and finished in St Mary’s Park where there were 45 stalls and an entertainment stage including tribute acts to Elvis, Amy Winehouse and the Blues Brothers.

There were also performances from Prestwich Arts College pupil Ruby Foran-Parkinson, Middleton Popstars Academy and Julie E Gordon who has sung with the Happy Mondays.

Carran O’Grady, local area partnership manager, said: "Feedback from Prestwich residents and businesses has been great about the Love Prestwich Festival and people want the festival to return in 2010.

"We will look at the highlights of this our first year soon and look at making it even better for next year.

"Organisers should be applauded for the hours of planning their individual events."