This year's Maldon Carnival on Saturday 6 August attracted crowds from across the District, raising £2,560 for local schools and the Mayor's chosen charities.

Armed with plastic buckets, dozens of volunteers collected donations for local causes during the procession.

The money will be split between primary schools in Maldon and the Mayor's chosen charities: Home-Start Maldon, the Essex Book Festival and heritage sites in the town.

Louise Pringle, one of the volunteers who organised this year's event, told Nub News: "We are overwhelmed by the crowds generosity and astonished by the grand total received on the day.

"We cannot thank those enough that kindly donated - it was such a pleasure to be back and we are already working on 2023!

"The collection shall be split between Wentworth, All Saints, St Francis, Maldon Primary and Heybridge Primary School as well as a donation to the Mayor's chosen charities.

"Again, thank you so much!"

"It was such a pleasure to be back and we are already working on 2023!" Louise Pringle, Maldon Carnival volunteer

For those who preferred to donate online, a GoFundMe page was also set up, which can be found here.

While thousands enjoyed the festivities, the family event was marred slightly by an 'upskirting' incident, and gatecrashed by 'blacked-up' cyclists.

A member of The Essex Caledonian Pipe Band had their kilt lifted by a visitor, and a trio of cyclists later gatecrashed the event with 'War' written on their backs. (Photos: Ben Shahrabi)

In a statement on Facebook, the Essex Caledonian Pipe Band said it was: "Great to see so many people, although one upsetting moment for us when a woman decided to lift up one of our kilts as we marched by.

"For some it might be 'just a bit of fun' but it's never appropriate behaviour, especially in a post #MeToo world."

The Band said they would not let the incident put them off taking part in the Carnival in future.

It is hoped there will be several security check points along the route next year, to prevent such incidents happening again.

This year, the organisers asked locals what Maldon Carnival favourites they would like to see at next year's event, such as the 'bed race' held in 1981. Competitors raced from The Chequers Pub (now the site of Barclays), down the High Street to Promenade Park, on beds.

Follow Maldon Carnival on Facebook, Instagram, or visit the website for more information about next year's event.