PRINCES and princesses may be more of a common sight in Chipping Sodbury this summer as the town’s annual festival prepares to delve into the world of Disney.

The 10-day festival, from June 13 to 22, is taking on a Disney theme for 2014 with a schools art exhibition on all things Disney and a carnival procession in which floats will be decorated like some of the corporation’s most famous films.

The highlights of this year’s festival include headliner Jimmy Cricket, the Irish comedian who has appeared alongside The Krankies, on Saturday, June 14 and a chance to abseil down the side of St John’s Church.

There will also be the return of touring opera company Tessitoura with a family friendly performance of Hansel and Gretel, a charity fashion show, local historian Jim Elsworth’s Ever Changing Sodbury slide show and the popular music in the street night featuring Bath-based band Vegas and the Battle of the Bands competition winner.

Sodbury Festival chairman Brian Hardy said: “Planning for this year’s Chipping Sodbury festival is now complete.

“Amongst the many planned events are some old favourites and some new ones. This year’s star act is the very funny Irish comedian Jimmy Cricket with a supporting cast.

“Other events include a team quiz, the Gloucester Cathedral Choir and Voices Together and Blondes with Beards.

“For the adventurous there will be an opportunity to abseil down the church tower in support of the Save the Children funds.”

He added: “The final Saturday (June 21) is carnival day, organised by the Lions club of Chipping Sodbury, when colourful floats will parade through the streets and stalls will line Broad Street.

“The day closes with the Last Night of the Proms Concert with the Flowers Band.”

The search is now on to find a festival princess and her two attendants. Entries are welcome from 11 to 14-year-olds for the princess role and nine to 11-year-old would-be attendants. Judging will take place on Saturday, March 15.

Entries for the Battle of the Bands competition, to be held on Wednesday, May 7 (7pm) in the town hall, are also being welcomed. An annual poetry competition is also now open, entries must be submitted by May 3.

Festival programmes will be available from April 1 when tickets for events will go on sale at Farrago and Out of the Blue.

For further information and competition entry forms go to www.chippingsodburyfestival.co.uk