WITH less than month to the Sherston Boules and Carnival, it looks as if the village could have its own public boules pitch.

For one week every year hundreds of people descend on the High Street for the carnival and the biggest one-day boules tournament in the country.

The sport has become so popular with villagers there is a boules pitch and league at the Carpenter's Arms, and it now looks likely a public pitch is to be built at Pennymead.

The idea of a boule pitch was first put forward to the parish council a few years ago.

Plans were drawn up, but as no group or individual was prepared to be responsible for organising its use no action was taken.

A villager has now offered to help and the council is to consider the matter again at its next meeting.

The boules day will be held on July 17 when tonnes of sand will be shipped into the village to create 16 pitches on the High Street.

Play will start at 9.30am with 128 teams, including some from France, competing for the coveted Sherston Cup and the runners' up plate competition.

Not only is there the intense but friendly competition on the boules pitches to keep spectators occupied, but there will also be craft, plant, food stalls, cafes, barbecues, bars, jazz, dancing and children's entertainment.

Last year the event raised £12,000 for local good causes.

Beginning on Friday, July 9, the carnival offers an action-packed week of fun.

Highlights include a quiz night, a children's disco and an OAPs musical afternoon.