Market Drayton Carnival bosses vow to deliver best event

This year's Market Drayton Carnival is expected to be bigger and better than ever with new entertainment planned and famous cars from film and television to appear.

Preparations for this year's event are well under way and the committee has begun its search for a carnival queen, prince and princess. The parade, which is now in its third year since the relaunch by a new committee, will take place on July 1.

Chairman, Lee Ridgway, said: "There will be cars in the parade this year, iconic cars from TV and film.

"We will have the A-Team van, the General Lee from Dukes of Hazzard, Herbie, Kitt from Knight Rider and the DeLorean from Back to the Future too.

"We already have a bigger take-up of floats from last year. We have eight confirmed and another four pending whereas last year I think we topped out at six."

Activities will be put on around the town on June 30 before the grand parade and fun day on the Sunday.

Organisers are looking to introduce a pubs and clubs tug of war this year.

James Dylan's International Motorbike Stunt Team is also set to feature.

Bosses are looking for more volunteers to help on the day and are also accepting applications to be carnival queen, carnival prince, carnival princess and the official charity.

Forms are available at www.marketdraytoncarnival.co.uk

To raise funds for this year's carnival Diamond Nights, a Neil Diamond tribute act, will perform at the Grove School on April 28.

The night will include an Indian meal provided by Oruna Cuisine restaurant.

"Putting on a carnival costs a lot of money, but we try to raise as much as possible through an enjoyable event," Mr Ridgway added.

Tickets for the act are available from the Festival Drayton Centre on (01630) 654444.