Superheroes, blooming gardens and bunting add to Hartlepool Carnival atmosphere

Judging of the best dressed garden, house and business takes place on Hartlepool Headland. At a house on Lumley Square are Bethany Sutheran, Peter Sutheran with Zack Dobson (2), Charlie Owens (11) and Lisa Sutheran witha Super Heroes-themed house. Picture: CHRIS BOOTH

Headland homes and businesses have once again made the extra effort to add to the atmosphere for Hartlepool Carnival.

Carnival judges have been out and about deciding the winners of this year’s Best Dressed House, Business and Garden, sponsored by Verrills.

They received a number of entries including residents of one square transforming their homes with dozens of life-size cartoon and superhero characters.

Judge Jason Anderson, of Radio Hartlepool, said: “I look forward to this each year.

“It’s nice to be able to see a mixture of gardens and businesses all spruced up for he occasion, and the effort that people have put in.”

Lumley Square once again impressed with its brilliant cartoon works of art in around a dozen gardens and windows.

Characters on display this year include Marvel superheroes including The Avengers, several Disney classics such as The Lion King and Jungle Book, with the Rugrats, Hotel Transylvania and Thomas the Tank Engine and friends also on show.

Judging of the best dressed garden, house and business takes place on Hartlepool Headland. At a house on Lumley Square are Milo Strelitz (7), Olly Bradley (2) and Logan Dennis (7) with a Thomas the Tankengine-themed house. Picture: CHRIS BOOTH

Artist Peter Sutheran, a driver for Cleveland Cables, said: “We do different ones. We started in April so it has taken us about four months.

“Everyone joins in. I draw them, the wife colours them in and all the kids help out and all the neighbours get involved as well.”

Jason said of the display: “It gets better every year.”

Grease was the word at The Cosmopolitan pub which entered the business and garden categories.

Judging of the best dressed garden, house and business takes place on Hartlepool Headland. Mary Price, Judge Jason Anderson at a house on Frederic Street. Picture: CHRIS BOOTH

Staff have given the place a 1950s American feel complete with Pink Ladies behind the bar, shopping trolleys decorated as hot rods and a cocktail bar in the garden.

Landlady Jane Fleming said: “We enter every year. We get all the family and friends involved.”

Among the homes entering for best garden were Alfie Price and his mother Mary on Northgate.

Judges hailed the garden with its marine decorations and colourful plants and flowers as “beautiful”.

Judging of the best dressed garden, house and business takes place on Hartlepool Headland. Mary Price, Alfie Price and their dog Jess at their home on Northgate. Picture: CHRIS BOOTH

Many homes that did not enter also made the effort for the carnival putting up flags and bunting.

Judges also visited gardens in Frederic Street, Ibbetson Street, Warren Street, Gibb Square and, in the business category, the Chelsea Lupton School of Dance.