WITH under two weeks to go until this year’s Thornbury Carnival, the whole town is gearing itself up.

Last year saw more than 11,000 visitors descend on Thornbury for the first carnival the town had held for 12 years.

As well as putting Thornbury on the map, the day, which included a procession and a fly-past by the Red Arrows, also raised more than £5,000 for local good causes.

Organisers of the carnival are hoping to recreate similar success next Saturday, July 3.

According to David Goldring, chairman of the event, the carnival would not happen without all the volunteers, who have again given their support.

"Amongst all the angst appear occasional rays of light that warm the feeling of satisfaction in what other groups are doing that isn’t necessarily visible along the way.

"Local residents in Thornbury and surrounding villages will have experienced the door-to-door programme sales campaign being undertaken by Thornbury Town AFC’s Falcons section as they seek to stamp their role in the Carnival on its organisation, in addition to the stewarding service they are providing on the day, and the primary schools’ six-a-side competition they are organising that ends on carnival day itself," he said.

The Thornbury Christmas Lights Association have also been getting their ladders out early to help hang the bunting along Castle Street and the High Street ready for the big day.

Other groups pulling out the stops include Thornbury Orchestra, Thornbury Castle Band, Litte Busters, the Tennis Club, the Rotary Club, the Running Club, Thornbury Churches Together, Thornbury Lions, GLOSS FM, ACT, and Thornbury In Bloom.

Groups have volunteered to man an entrance, marshal the parade, help co-ordinate the show ground and even tidy up afterwards.

Mr Goldring said: "But the enthusiastic call for involvement opportunities has not been restricted to organisations such as these. Currently there are 50 Thornbury area businesses involved in the carnival."

This year’s carnival will include a parade through the town, a show ground with more than 170 stalls, a beer tent, performance stages and live music.