Carnival fever is mounting in Wootton Bassett as the final touches are put to this year's celebrations.

With just over two weeks to go before the festivities begin, organisers are praying for the sunny weather that graced the town last year and resulted in over £2,000 being raised for local charities.

Highlights for this year's carnival which starts on May 13 includes music, stalls and entertainment galore at the grand fte on May 14 at Noremarsh Junior School, an arts, crafts and hobbies show on May 20 and the dazzling spectacle of the Grand Procession on May 21.

A carnival fun fair based at Lime Kiln will run throughout the week to keep the thrills and spills flowing.

Eileen Lambourne, of Parsons Way, is one of the organisers of the carnival. She said: "A lot of work has been put into the programme and we've got lots of guest bands coming including a six piece Dixie band all the way from Surrey.

"We've already got half a dozen floats lined up plus the mayor and the carnival royalty and I know there's some more coming. It's all very exciting and we just can't wait for it to start."

The carnival week will also see a special presentation to mark the retirement of town crier Fred 'Boots' Deacon who has held the position since 1976. The presentation will take place during the Carnival Fte on May 14.

On May 17 the town council will launch Transport4U the first ever subsidised taxi scheme in Wiltshire aimed at improving local transport in the area.

Road closures will be in place from 4.30pm to 7.15pm on the day of the procession. The town's new mobile skate park will be launched that day.

Also on procession day will be the unveiling of the Wootton Bassett and District Rotary Club's musical clock that will be positioned above Deacon's jewellers on the High Street.

Organisers are still looking for volunteers to help with the marshalling of the procession on May 21. Anyone interested in helping can contact George Richardson on (01793) 851474.