THE day had a fairytale beginning and a happy ending as crowds took to the streets for the spectacle of Oxford's annual Lord Mayor's parade.

Thousands lined the city centre streets to catch a glimpse of 15 colourful floats decorated on the theme of nursery rhymes.

New Lord Mayor Carole Roberts led the procession from Woodstock Road, followed by the Strawberry Fayre Majorettes and Oxford Brass Bands. But the parade was hushed in High Street - where everything went quiet for students at the University's Examination School.

It was a special day for competition winners Kirsty Ryan and Daniel Begley, who won the honour of playing Cinderella and Prince Charming on the Oxford Mail and Oxford Playhouse's float.

Kirsty, 11, of Brambling Way, Blackbird Leys, and Daniel, also 11, of Cornwallis Road, Cowley, were forced to wait for the procession to get under way, but enjoyed the attention. Eleanor Robinson, spokesman for the Oxford Playhouse, said: "They have been perfect."

Among those taking part were the Balliol Day Nursery and the Angelmead Ranger Guides and Scouts - who both had floats on the theme of Sing A Song of Sixpence - and Apollo Leisure, who invited along Winnie the Pooh. Lesley Fraser, who works in the box office at the Apollo Theatre, in Oxford, was the woman behind the mask of A.A. Milne's loveable bear.

Her star quality must have shone through because the Apollo won the Lions' Trophy for best commercial float, with second place going to the Oxford Mail and Playhouse float.

Game-for-a-laugh Barry England, 49, became Little Bo Peep for the day on Jericho Rejects' multi-nursery rhyme float. Barry, assistant shop steward at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Sports and Social Club, said: "The whole occasion is about making fun of yourself."

The Rejects shared first prize in the charity floats section with the Irish Society. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was third.

Young performers from the Sparkle Stage Set dressed up as their own favourite nursery rhyme characters. Nayo Butler, 13 (Fine lady on a white horse), Joanne Taylor, 15 (Old Mother Hubbard), and Rhiannon Mosson, 14 (Little Jack Horner), said the occasion was: "A chance to show off." They came second in the junior section, pipped to first place by Balliol Day Nursery.

Mrs Roberts, who aims to become "the People's Mayor", said: "It has been a lovely day. All these people have been working for others which is really great."

The parade, organised by the Lions Club of Oxford, eventually made its way to South Park and a gala including charity stalls, Irish dancing and a falconry display.

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