BIG changes are being planned for next year’s Dursley carnival.

Organisers are planning to expand the event, tying a three-day music festival on the War Memorial Recreation Ground with the traditional carnival.

Much of the funding needed to organise the event will be provided by Dursley Town Council after it approved a £6,000 grant at its meeting last week.

However, councillors asked that Cam Parish Council approve of plans to offer camping for the event on the Rednock School-owned Norman Hill field before the money would be paid.

Entry to the recreation ground over the weekend would no longer be free with adult tickets expected to cost about £20 for the weekend, although Dursley residents would be offered a discount rate.

Event organiser and Dursley town councillor Wayne Paice said that he hoped the changes would bring more visitors into Dursley.

“Having spoken to people who live outside of Dursley they said that if we offered camping they would be much more likely to come down.

“Our aim is to produce a great weekend event which would be a great thing for the town.”

The festival and combined carnival will take place over July 13, 14 and 15 with the traditional carnival events, including a parade through the Dursley being held on the Saturday in the town centre.