THOUSANDS of people are expected to throng the town centre this weekend as the Bury Lions Carnival reinforces its reputation as a leading annual attraction in the local calendar.

Sunday’s event will feature a procession of colourful floats, as well as a host of gala attractions.

Bury Lions are also planning to revive the carnival queen comp-etition if sufficient entries are received.

The spectacular floats parade will leave Market Street, near Bury College, at 1.30pm.

The decorated vehicles will be accompanied by walking parties and four bands.

Leading the procession will be the Fusilier Band and Corps of Drums.

Spectators will be vying for the best position along the route as the floats wind their way from Market Street, onto Angouleme Way, Haymarket Street, back on to Market Street and The Rock, before coming to a halt near the Wilkinson’s store.

From 10am until 4.30pm, the gala will be in full swing on three sites: there will be children’s attractions and stalls in Kay Gardens; dancing and other performances in Market Place, and food and stalls on The Rock, near Bury Parish Church.

A funfair will also take place in Foundry Street on Saturday and Sunday.

The carnival queens competition is scheduled to take place between 3pm and 4pm at the Lions base in Market Place.

Helping out will be the current Miss Greater Manchester and former Miss Bury, Cherrelle Slater, and Shelby O’Hara, daughter of the carnival chairman Mr Scott Richardson.

In the meantime, officials have repeated their appeal to recruit volunteers to help during the parade.

Their role will be marshalling at road junctions and making sure no cars or public come onto the parade route.

These helpers are required from 12.45pm until 3pm.

Additionally, volunteers are needed for general duites between 8am and 4pm. All will be entitled to travel expenses and refreshments, and issued with high-visibility vests and, where necessary, a communications radio.

Mr Richardson said: “I want to say a massive thanks to the public for their support.

“I hope this year’s carnival will be as good and as big as previous years and we’re looking forward to it. We are asking people to come out and continue to support us.”

n To offer your services as a volunteer: email burylionscarnival@hotmail.

co.uk