VILLAGERS in Purton are combining their annual carnival celebrations with events marking the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

The Helping Hand Carnival usually takes place for a week at the end of May or beginning of June, with a procession on the last Saturday in May or first in June.

Carnival chairman Lynda Warren said the procession will take place on June 15, with a host of events at the start of the month.

The annual decorated window competition is on the theme of royalty and Mrs Warren said entrants can choose fictional or real royalty as the theme.

Entry forms should be returned to her by tomorrow, with a £1 entry fee.

On June 2, a jubilee banner parade is going through the village, from Highridge Close to the war memorial.

It starts at 1.45pm and will be followed by a hog roast, music and games on the football pitch.

The rest of the four-week calendar of celebrations is devoted to the carnival.

It kicks off with a mile of coins being formed through the centre of the village from 9am-noon on June 1. On June 3, the working men's club in Station Road is holding a 12-hour pool and darts day, between 11am and 11pm.

An under-fives teddy bears' picnic is in the village hall between 2.30pm and 3.30pm on June 10.

A talent evening takes place in the village hall at 7.30pm on June 13. It has two contests, one for under 16s, and one for over 16s.