ACCRINGTON will be ablaze with colour on Saturday as hundreds of people take to the streets to enjoy the town's famous Carnival.
The biennial event, which has been running for more than 80 years, will feature a range of exotic floats as well as a host of entertainment at Peel Park Primary School's playing fields.
The Carnival, which is raising cash for charities including Maundy Relief, the Inskip League of Friendship and Dial-a-Ride, has been organised by Accrington Lions since 1989 and this year's event promises to be bigger, brighter and better than ever.
It costs around £15,000 to stage the event and earlier this year the Carnival faced an uncertain future due to lack of funding from the council.
But the North Lancashire Training Group stepped in with a £3,000 grant, with further funding coming from other companies including Buy the House estate agents.
Harold Hardman, from Accrington Lions, said: "We are looking forward to a great day for the people of the town. Our aim is simply to provide a really top-class day of fun and entertainment which should attract a good crowd.
"We will be having all sorts of things in the parade including a Chinese dragon which is bound to catch people's eyes.
"On the field we will have a ju-jitsu display and a fortune teller, who has assured us we will be having good weather on the day.
"We will also show off a car which featured in several of the Laurel and Hardy films.
"It is always good fun for the people of the town and something for them all to remember. It takes around 18 months to get the show on the road but it is always worth it."
Coronation Street star Julie Hesmond-halgh, who plays Hayley Cropper, will also be signing autographs on the school field throughout the day.
The procession will feature around 47 floats which will be setting off from the Globe Centre at 10.45am, led by Carnival Queen Samantha Taylor and Carnival Princess Charlotte Dawson.
They will make their way on to Eagle Street and Blackburn Road, passing through the town centre and proceeding along Little Blackburn Road, Whalley Road and Thorneyholme Road where the procession will disperse at around 12.30pm.
Motorists are advised to avoid the procession route and get to their destination as early as possible. Drivers should also expect delays as several town centre streets will be closed.
Carnival-goers should park in a designated car park or they will be towed away if they cause an obstruction. People must not park in no-waiting areas or in front of residents' driveways or the non-designated car park near Peel Park School.
According to forecasters, the weather is set to be cloudy but fine.
