Hartlepool Carnival watched worldwide as people from as far as New Zealand enjoyed Mail's coverage

From carnival queens and cheerleaders to a giant unicorn and Batmobile, colourful costumes paraded through The Headland for the annual Hartlepool Carnival spectacular.

The Mail’s Facebook Live post of the carnival on Saturday was watched by people across the UK and the world, with people commenting they enjoyed the event from Hamilton in New Zealand, as well as across UK.

Scores of people commented on the Mail’s Facebook page about the carnival, with some criticising the volunteer run event. But most were positive, with Angela Waller saying: “Well done to all who took part and all the people who turned up to watch more people in the town need to enter it was brilliant when I was a kid x”

Debby Mitchell commented: “Watching from Hartlepool it was lovley to see the kids well done it was love to see the band as well.”

Lesley Todd wrote: “Well Done to all the organisers , entrants and people that came to watch , What a Brilliant Day .”

Hundreds lined the streets for one of the highlights of the festival, which began at Town Square with members of Hartlepool Hawks Cheerleading squad cartwheeling their way through the streets.

Other highlights of the day included live music and medieval re-enactment displays, as well as the return of the popular Nutty Slack Race at the Victoria Arms and the final day of the funfair at Moor Parade.