CARNIVAL organisers say this year's programme will be biggest, most entertaining and generate more revenue than ever before.

With an extra four days added on to the programme, organisers hope to raise over £1,000 more than last year for charity.

The carnival committee donated around £9,500 last year to good causes.

Carnival secretary John Lawton particularly needs help with the Say It With Banners procession on Friday and Saturday.

The event enables children over five to make a banner for their family, friends or club.

The workshop is for two days and people must attend both sessions.

Carnival secretary John Lawton usually spends about three weeks in July and August each year to focus on the preparations.

He runs an IT training solutions business, and manages to ensure he is free for about one month around carnival time.

His involvement started five years ago, when after suggesting new ways of improving the event, the chairman told him to stop talking and join.

Mr Lawton said: "A few years ago nobody knew who ran it. It was all very secretive and mysterious.

"Hopefully people now feel more in tune with events."

Carnival organisers have also revealed the months of planning and preparation which makes the annual event a success.

It involves dozens of people and a turnover of approximately £20,000.

But Mr Lawton wants more young people to join the committee.

When things go wrong he said the committee simply perceives them as a challenge to overcome.

Mr Lawton said: "My reaction is to get stuck in and avoid getting stressed.

"Good planning usually avoids any real problems.

"But things do undoubtedly go wrong.

"Lots of things go on in the background that people never hear about it. The day after the procession for example, we all sit around counting the one penny and two penny pieces that were thrown during the procession. So, for a day, there is a mountain of £4,500 in copper."

The carnival is also becoming increasingly popular with tourists.

Mr Lawton said one couple come from Wales every year to enjoy it in addition to French visitors from Malmesbury's twin town Gien.

"More and more visitors are coming to Malmesbury for the carnival. They stay with local people and we also work with the local hotels to promote the celebrations.

"In terms of planning, we are always thinking of new ways to make things better," said Mr Lawton.

Opening the carnival today at 7.30pm in the town hall is an assortment of sketches, songs and dance routines from the Athelstan Players, entitled Kaleidoscope.

It includes a satirical look at happenings in the town during the year and is directed by Debbie Charman.

Mrs Charman said: "It is always a sell-out because we have a little bit of everything.

"It is a real mix of material, so we call it kaleidoscope."

Mrs Charman's cast ranges from nine to 14 and they have been rehearsing since June.

Mrs Charman said: "The children really enjoy performing. It is great fun. My husband Bob is also in the show so we try not to take ourselves too seriously."

The carnival will end with a presentation by Malmesbury Film Society called Carnival Cinema.

For more information about the carnival or becoming a committee member, please contact John Lawton on (01666) 822003.

For details of the programme or details on individual events log on at www.malmesburycarnival.co.uk.