THORNBURY is gearing up for a day of fun at the town's annual carnival.

The event on Saturday is set to bring in huge crowds to watch a parade wind its way through the town and later enjoy an afternoon of events on the Mundy Playing Fields.

Families have been promised hours of entertainment, with music, dance, donkey rides and dog agility just some of the attractions.

The parade is due to set off from the Castle School in Park Road at 10.30am.

Local groups and organisations will be on carnival floats or in walking groups, while classic cars will also join the procession.

They will gradually make their way along Castle Street and High Street to the playing fields, where the gates open at noon.

Performers and local schoolchildren who will be in the parade will then get ready to entertain an estimated 10,000 visitors.

There will also be a funfair, a variety of stalls, stage entertainment and a zumba class.

A highlight will be a flypast by a Spitfire and Hurricane from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, while budding pilots can have a go in a Red Arrows flight simulator.

Thornbury's own Panache steel band will get toes tapping - just one of the many musical treats promised. A total of ten bands are in the line-up, with pipes and drums up against the ukulele.

Visiting attractions from Yate include the King Edmund Acro gymnastics and the Celestine Dog Agility Group, while Olveston's Angus Macaskill will be artist-in-residence for the day and the clowning vicar, Roly Bain, is set to be a hit.

Donkeys from Weston beach will have an away day from the beach and children can also enjoy Punch and Judy shows.

A number of outlets in Thornbury will continue to sell advance tickets up to close of business tomorrow. On carnival day there will be a number of mobile sellers in the town while the parade takes place.

Families who want to ensure they get a family ticket at £8, for the admission of two adults and two primary age children, will only be able to get them in advance.

Otherwise admission on the gate is £3 for adults and £2 for children aged 11 and under. Pre-school youngsters will be allowed in free.