Characters from The Jungle Book prowled the streets of Borehamwood during this year's carnival parade.

Hundreds of people poured onto Brook Road and Shenley Road as the 59th annual Borehamwood and Elstree Civic Festival began with the parade through the town.

But it was Funky Friendz, a new youth club for children aged seven to 12, who stole the show with their Jungle Book-themed float.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO THE BOREHAMWOOD TIMES' FUNKY FRIENDZ CAMPAIGN

The mothers behind the club and their children used more than the bear necessities when they decorated their float with stuffed animals, bales of hay and trees.

Borehamwood Times:

Michelle Jonas, who has two children, said: “It’s amazing – we never expected to win at all but we’re so pleased we have.

“It was all done by the children. They put the most effort into decorating and designing it all so credit has to go to them, not to the adults.

“It was the first float I’d ever done and I never knew this carnival was on our doorstep. We’ll be entering next year.”

Music blared from the truck as children threw out sweets, paid for by Hertz Cars, and HSS Hire in Borehamwood, provided musical entertainment.

The Borehamwood Times has launched a campaign to raise £4,000 for Funky Friendz by September, and has so far raised £1,180.

Town council Mayor Richard Butler and his escort Rebecca Challice marched at the front of the parade, which was led by Borehamwood Football Club.

AAA Taxi’s float was led by Bon Bassey, who was dressed as the child catcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang on Rue the horse. (Below)

Borehamwood Times:

Elstree and Borehamwood Residents Association also took part, dressed as characters from the musical Wicked.

The town council’s float included representatives from the Visually Impaired Club, Drop in at 96 and All Saints Church.

Borehamwood councillor Pat Strack said: “It was supercalafragalisticexpialadocious and more. People said the standard of the floats was the best ever.

“It was great to see Borehamwood Football Club at the front of the parade – it’s a well-deserved honour.

“The town must be very proud that the club goes from strength to strength. The floats were amazing and so much work had gone into all of them.

“Thank you to all who took part and to those who made it possible dressing the people and decorating the floats.”