Taunton's most memorable moments 2012 - in pictures

From the inspirational celebrations of the London 2012 Olympics to the devastating flood chaos causing the river Tone to burst its banks, Taunton has had an unforgettable year.

Below is my list of Taunton's 2012 highlights and most memorable moments captured and covered by Taunton People.

1) The Olympic Torch Relay in Taunton – Local Olympic and Paralympic celebrations of 2012

Taunton was bursting with Olympic and Paralympic pride this summer as the Olympic torch passed through the town in May 2012

Among the most memorable moments in Taunton were Will.I.Am appearing in Taunton before the torch's overnight stay In the town and local Paralympian Deb Criddle having her post-box painted gold in honour of her achievements.

Re-live the excitement by taking a look at our galleries below…

Photo gallery: Taunton Olympic Torch Relay parade celebrations

Taunton Olympic Torch celebrations-parade Part 2

Photo gallery: Olympic Torch Relay in Taunton

Photo gallery: Crowds gather in Taunton for Olympic Torch Relay

Olympic Flame cauldron lit in Taunton

Photo gallery: Labrinth at Taunton Olympic Torch celebration

Taunton Olympic torch bearers Wiil.i.am leaving County Ground

Deb Criddle's gold post box in Trull, Taunton

2) The Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations in Taunton

Taunton proved British pride was still alive last summer as locals took to the streets and celebrated the Queen's Diamond Jubilee with picnics, street parties and even scarecrows in true British style.

Click on the links below to view all the photos of the 2012 Diamond Jubilee celebrations in Taunton…

Diamond Jubilee scarecrows Corfe Taunton

Photos: Taunton Diamond Jubilee - St George's School

Photos: Diamond Jubilee party at St George's School - part two

Photos: Diamond Jubilee Family Fun Day in Taunton

Diamond Jubilee Teddybears Picnic in Vivary Park, Taunton

Photos: Taunton Diamond Jubilee - Trull Party in the Park

3) Taunton Flood Chaos

Images of devastation were appearing across Somerset in 2012 and some of the worst came from Taunton as the river Tone burst its banks.

Below is a selection of galleries illustrating the worst of Taunton's 2012 floods.

Photos: Taunton floods - police cordon off River Tone areas

Photos: Floods at French Weir Park in Taunton

Photo gallery: Floods in Taunton town centre

Photos: Flood chaos on roads around Taunton and Wellington

4) Taunton Carnival 2012

Taunton's 2012 Carnival was more dazzling than ever this year, with imaginative floats and spectacular characters parading through the streets.

Re-live the beauty and colours of the Somerset Carnival Season by taking a look at our galleries of Taunton's 2012 Carnival...

Photos: Taunton Carnival 2012 in pictures

Photos: 2012 Taunton Carnival in pictures

Photos: Miss Taunton 2012 contest at Allerford Inn

5) Taunton Christmas Street Fair and Lights Switch- on:  Make Taunton Sparkle 2012

On 18 November a Christmas fair to rival all others was held in Taunton town centre, with festive stalls, fair-ground rides Christmas characters a petting zoo and much more as part of the Make Taunton Sparkle Campaign 2012.

Later in the evening Paralympian Deb Criddle and Somerset cricket captain Marcus Trescothick switched on Taunton Christmas Lights kicking off some fantastic festive entertainment that really got us all in the Christmas spirit...

Photos: Taunton Christmas Street fair 2012

Photos: Taunton Christmas Street Fair 2012 - in pictures

Photos: Taunton Christmas Lights Switch On 2012

6) Taunton Flower Show 2012

Despite the miserable weather, In May 2012 Taunton held its famous annual Flower Show and the town was blooming with vibrant colours and sensational smells for weeks.

This year's show was such a success it even went some way to securing Taunton a gold medal at the South West in Bloom competition. Below is a selection of galleries from Taunton's latest Flower Show...

Taunton Flower Show 2012 media launch

Taunton Flower Show 2012 behind the Scenes

Taunton Flower show 2012 -show gardens

Taunton Flower show 2012 -Stampede Stunt Company

Taunton Flower show 2012 -day two