Community groups will have the chance to share the limelight with professional performers at this year's Christmas Parade, which has been renamed the Christmas Carnival.

Sponsorship totalling £10,000 is sure to make this year's event one of the best ever. The donation from the Brunel Centre will pay for bands, comics, stilt walkers, dancers and acrobats.

But organisers AD&P would like to see volunteers from local community groups topping the bill. The idea is to blend community acts with star performances for a top quality show.

This new light hearted approach is to be reflected in the change of name to The Carnival.

Event organiser Sally Barker said: "The sponsorship has allowed us to purchase some fantastic entertainment which will be free to all Christmas shoppers courtesy of the Brunel Centre.

"This year it was important to get the local community more involved."

Organisers say by taking part in The Parade, community groups will in turn raise their own profiles. They want a maximum of two members from 30 groups to get involved.

Those chosen will design and make a costume to be worn as the parade snakes its way around Regent Circus, Regent Street and Canal Walk.

A top prize of £750 is on offer to the group with the most imaginative costume.

Smaller prizes of £500 and £250 will also be available. Prizes will be in the form of equipment chosen by the group. The parade starts on Sunday, November 26 and, of course, will include an appearance from Santa.

Entertainment groups already taking part this year include The Black Eagles Tanzanian acrobats and The Natural Theatre Company.

Other attractions include Swindon Town Football Club players, GWR Majorettes, the Celtic Academy of Irish Dancing and a New Orleans brass band.

If your community group is non profit making and would like to take part in Swindon's Christmas Parade then simply fill in the coupon on this page.

Competition winners will feature in the Evening Advertiser.