CARNIVAL visitors set aside the disappointment of a funfair no-show to enjoy a day out in the sun.

Organisers of Saturday's Abbey Hulton Carnival had arranged for grass to be cut in a lower paddock for eight rides to be set up, but it remained empty at the weekend.

But hundreds of visitors still enjoyed a host of other attractions at the event at the abbey ruins site off Leek Road.

Principal organiser Jim Halliday, of Abbey Hulton Partnership, said the funfair had been due to include an assault course and had been planned for six months.

But it did not arrive to set up on Friday night and calls to managers, who were to charge visitors for rides, drew a blank.

The 64-year-old self-employed businessman and community pastor from Baddeley Edge said: "We had measured up where it was going and seen the pictures of the equipment they were bringing. It is very disappointing.

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"But this is the third year we have done this and it's getting bigger every time.

"It is good to give people a bit of enjoyment, particularly in a deprived area, and we have a good team here in Abbey."

The event started with a float carrying 11-year-old carnival queen Jade Whetnall and her seven carnival princesses, which made its way to the main stage after driving from the estate's community centre.

Birches Head High School pupil Jade, from Abbots Road, said: "I am really happy and proud to be carnival queen."

Across the other side of the park, 13-year-old David Muller was first to scale the 32 foot high climbing wall supplied by Longnor-based Upper Limits.

The Birches Head High pupil, of Elmsmere Road, who was watched by twin brother Keith and housekeeper mum Jenny, aged 46, said: "I like climbing, but I prefer coming down."

There were stalls representing organisations including Stoke-on-Trent City Council's recycling and children's play services, Blackfriars Day Centre and the Bethel City Church.

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service showed youngsters around a fire engine, while there were also tombolas, a bouncy castle, ducking stool and refreshments.

Carmountside Primary School reception class pupil Jasmine-Leigh Clowes, from Shelley Road, Abbey Hulton, was visiting with 34-year-old mum Melanie.

The four-year-old said: "I had a nice day and I liked the face painting and the fire engine."

The event was organised by the partnership and the city council and was part-funded by Abbey Green's three councillors from their ward budget.

And a display of birds of prey drew the crowds, as seven-year-old Liam Dinnivan, pictured below, showed off two-year-old barn owl Socks, which he reared from being two-days-old among the 12 birds kept by his family.

Carmountside Primary School pupil Liam, from Abbey Hulton, said: "I have had him since he was a baby and he jumps on my shoulder when I'm washing the dishes."

Entertainment was provided from a stage, while youngsters were able to have a go on weird and wacky bikes.

York-based Get Cycling brought tandems, mini-bikes, trikes and an unusual seven-seater among other cycles for youngsters to have a go on.

Home schooled Louisa Morten, aged 13, from Sneyd Green, said: "It has been good anyway but it would have been even nicer if there had been a funfair."

Stoke-on-Trent Central MP Mark Fisher, who greeted visitors to the carnival as he made his way around stalls, said: "I think there are more people here than at any carnival I have been to in the last few years.

"It is wonderful and the fact that it gets better every year is because it is so well-run with lots to do."