Skeletons and spacemen, Buzz Lightyear and Bart Simpson...they all came out to play for the Lord Mayor's Parade.

The Telegraph & Argus-backed event was bigger and better than ever with a record 2,000 participants.

Crowds enjoyed the colourful costumes, carnival atmosphere and continental beats which reflected this year's theme of World in a City.

Thousands lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the parade as it shuffled its way along Midland Road and through the city centre to Centenary Square.

The chain of dancers and musicians basked in the glorious weather and served up a treat.

The Lord Mayor of Bradford Councillor Stanley King led the parade into Centenary Square on a horse drawn tram from Bradford Industrial Museum.

The city's civic leader was followed by youngsters from the Canterbury estate dressed in blues and greens to represent the daytime.

Other highlights included a 12-foot tall magician pulling a rabbit out of his hat, a towering Statue of Liberty, parrots and puppets, birds and bees, skeletons and sharks and a Manhattan skyline.

Old favourite Lulu the Elephant took part in the procession alongside a giant puppet of cult television character Ali G.

The ever-changing accompanying beat included music from the Phoenix New Orleans Parade Band, Dhol Drummers, La Timbala and Manchester Samba.

A futuristic finale featured a 20ft giant robot whose electronic voice blurted out: "Greetings citizens of Bradford...I have travelled far to join your celebrations and festivities..."

Whatever distance people had travelled to watch this year's event, everyone agreed it had been well worth the journey.

Sun hats and cool drinks were the order of the day as young and old got into the carnival spirit.

Sizzling temperatures ensured a massive turnout at galas and festivals across the region.

One of the biggest events was yesterday's Otley Carnival - with thousands of people taking to the streets to enjoy the parade.

The procession of floats, marching bands, majorettes and classic cars featured contributions from community groups, schools and local businesses.

Themes included characters from Grease and children's favourites Fireman Sam, Andy Pandy and Bob the Builder.

Then it was on to the Gala Field for the crowning of the Gala Queen, a performance by The Steel Bonnets Borders Reivers Elizabethan Re-enactment Society, stalls and side-shows.

On Saturday crowds converged on the Paddock, Gomersal, for Gomersal Gala.

The parade, led by Gala queen Melissa Bailey and her five attendants, included decorative floats and cheerleaders.

The prize for best majorette troupe on parade went to the Red Rose majorettes from Manchester. Organiser Audrey Brooke said: "We had all kinds of stalls, entertainment and games. It was a real family day out."

Meanwhile, over in Harden, more than 1,500 people turned out on Saturday for Harden Children's Gala.

Attractions included a fancy dress competition and plenty of fun and games for youngsters.

The traditional Caterpillar Cup - an It's a Knockout-style event competed for by two teams of local schoolchildren - was won this year by the boys.

But organisers had to declare the annual bubble-blowing competition a dead heat.

Chairman of Harden Children's Gala Society, Peter Bashforth, explained: "The bubble gum wasn't up to the usual standard and no-one could get their bubbles going!"