Tots dance in Hackney streets dressed as cavemen and ancient Egyptians for the annual Princess May carnival

Princess May Primary School carnival parade. Photo: Polly Hancock (Image: Princess May Primary School carnival parade. Photo: Polly Hancock)

Kids from Princess May Primary School were also dressed in ancient Greek, Roman, Mayan, Victorian and World War Two outfits for the parade themed on ‘history through the ages’.

Neighbours and children from St Matthias primary school came out to watch as they danced their way along Barrett’s Grove, into Wordsworth Road and finally up Princess May Road on Friday, in front of and behind a bus playing Soca music on its sound system.

Teaching assistant and carnival co-ordinator, Chantelle Osei said: “It’s just like a real carnival.

“The children were super happy and excited and proud of their hard work.

“Every year I think this is so amazing, but apparently it’s the best carnival to date which I’m absolutely over the moon about.

“I heard the children saying they enjoyed the happy vibe and the music. Most of us would say it’s the best day of the school year.”

The parade was followed by an international evening, where the children showcased their diverse cultural backgrounds through dance, drama and music and Polish Turkish, African, Caribbean and Asian food made by parents.

The children had spent two weeks making their costumes using materials and paint from the Scrap Project in Homerton.

Chantelle said: “The teachers cut out the material for the younger kids and then they painted and stuck things onto the materials. Anything the kids could do they did. The older ones made their own costumes, and parents came in to help.”

She raised £800 to fund the day - including bouncy castles for the playground and the food - by holding a car boot sale, popcorn and ice pole after school sales, and with a £100 donation from a local company.

“The government is taking away our funding so this year I had to fundraise the money myself,” she said.