ORGANISERS of Malmesbury Carnival are busily preparing for next month's events, and have announced some new additions to the programme.

This year's events take place between August 17 and September 1.

This year is also extra special because it is the 50th consecutive carnival, since the parade started in 1925.

It was forced to break during the Second World War, returning in 1952 the year of the Queen's coronation.

Judging for the butterfly queen is at 1.30pm on August 17 and, for the first time, youngsters can warm up by watching Toy Story II in the town hall, thanks to the Malmesbury Film Society.

Another new event is a Malmesbury Carnival quiz night, in The Three Cups pub, at 7.30pm on August 27. Entry is £4 per team, and prizes are on offer.

Last Wednesday, in the first round of donations, Malmesbury Youth Football Club was presented with £225, the Patient's Participation Group was given £470, and the Malmesbury Air Training Corps were given £500.

That money was from surplus from last year's carnival. The remainder of the cash going out will be raised through this year's carnival.

The event's secretary John Lawton said five floats have already been entered in the carnival procession on August 31, including The Suffolk Arms, on Tetbury Hill, and the Malmesbury branch of Wiltshire Young Farmers.

The Halifax in the High Street is also displaying pictures of bygone years with a competition to identify those in the photographs. The competition's star prize will be a car.

Anyone interested in taking part in the carnival can call Mr Lawton on (01666) 822003. Full details of activities are at www.malmesburycarnival.co.uk