ORGANISERS of the Thornbury Carnival are looking for new ideas to help move the event forward.

With plans well underway for this year’s carnival, to be held on July 3, those behind the successful town event are hoping expand it further in future years.

Last year the Thornbury Carnival attracted 11,000 people to the town, which saw a street parade, live acts and a fly-past from the Red Arrows.

However, keen to build on the event’s success organisers are looking to develop the event further and would like to hear from anyone within the town or surrounding idea that might have ideas.

David Goldring, chairman of the Thornbury Carnival said: "We are hoping to hold a meeting later in the year, which will be open to any and all local organisations.

"We want to generate some constructive ideas about the future of the carnival. We don’t want to burden the already very busy groups that operate in Thornbury but if the carnival is to move forward, the carnival committee cannot do it alone."

Mr Goldring said one suggestion that had already been made was to extend the carnival to include the Friday night and Sunday and make it a weekend event.

"We have found that some entertainers and traders are not prepared to get involved in the carnival because it is only one day and they are only interested in events that are a whole weekend.

"This really is only an idea at the moment. The logistics and organisation that would be necessary for such an expansion of the carnival would require a many more volunteers getting involved and there would of course be bigger implications for the town."

Mr Goldring said the Thornbury Carnival 2010 was shaping up to be bigger and better than last year.

He said: "We have brought the parade forward and we have entertainment throughout the day and on into the evening. We have more stalls and displays available.

"July 3 is going to be a very busy day but we hope people will find there is something for everyone."