There are actually only two of them...

So, as the parade approaches, it's worth taking a quick look at who's come as what. I've spotted a fair few Steve Irwins, in affectionate tribute to the recently deceased Aussie conservationist - one, indeed, arrived with an entirely unprintable and definitively tasteless stingray accoutrement. There's an oddly orange Mr T, complelented nicely by a coterie of definitely orange enough Ooompa-Loompas (Charlie in tow, natch).

The Englishman's capacity to fall into cross-dressing knows no bounds, and all manner of shameful bulges and unnecessary hair are peeping through skinny and skimpy skirts, shift dresses, and bouffy prom attire. Despite the warning that clowns are banned - something to do with lots of people being terrified of them, apparently - there are a few in evidence, and we've spotted Ghostbusters, half the cast of The Wizard Of Oz and, in one deliciously surreal tableau, Obi-Wan Kenobi deep in conversation with Santa Claus as the 118 118 chaps and Satan look on.

The resourcefulness on display is really quite something: Bill & Ben the Flowerpot Men have clearly ram-raided their local Robert Dyas for appropriate props, and there's definitely been a lot of last-minute nocturnal stitching going on. Who needs bands when there's this much fun to be had?