WINTERBOURNE Down is preparing to welcome May Day with its annual weekend of celebrations.

This year’s theme will be mystical creatures and the three-day event will include a visit from everyone’s favourite ogre, Shrek. The village festivities start with a family evening of children’s entertainment in the form of a mascot show followed by line dancing and a barbecue on Saturday, April 30 (7-11pm).

On Sunday, residents and visitors are invited to follow the scarecrow trail around the village and complete a family treasure hunt (2-4pm). Judging of scarecrows created especially for the weekend will take place before Westerly Showband entertains the crows in the Methodist Church (2.45pm) and at 6pm there will be a songs of praise service in the church.

Bank Holiday Monday, May 2 sees the main event with a carnival and street fair (10am-4.30pm). A procession led by Bristol Pipe Band will leave Bradley Avenue at 10.15am finishing in the Methodist Church grounds where a full line up of entertainment is planned. Performers include Morris, Maypole and modern dancing and there will also be jazz, animals, a tug of war competition and model boats and engines on display. Refreshments will include cream teas, hot food and a chocolate fountain and there will be a bouncy castle and face painting.

Organiser Sue Cessford said: “Our theme this year is mystical creatures and we will be joined by Shrek who will be spending the day with us.

“Our chosen charity is British Red Cross and we hope to raise a large amount over the weekend to donate to this worthy cause.”

Carnival programmes are availbale from Winterbourne Library, The Cross Hands, Salon Fifty2, the newsagents on Bradley Avenue and committee members. For further information call 01454 772072 or visit wdcarnival.org