THE 18th Astwood Bank Carnival is gearing up for another frenzy of fund-raising with some fantastic events, climaxing with carnival day itself on May 21.

The carnival has raised more than £100,000 for charities with the support of businesses and through funding at carnival events.

Good causes benefiting are Macmillan Cancer Relief, Astwood Bank News, Cookhill Village Hall, Redditch and Bromsgrove Parkinson's Disease Society, Redditch Special Olympics, Astwood Bank Operatic Society and the county Air Ambulance.

Other charities being supported are the First Redditch Boys' Brigade, St Matthias and George Church, Feckenham Village Hall, Redditch Association for the Blind and Astwood Bank Sunshine Club.

To commemorate the 400th anniversary of Guy Fawkes' attempt to blow up Parliament, the Battle of Trafalgar's 200th anniversary and the 60th anniversary of VE day, the theme will be Heroes and Villains.

Events include a golf tournament and dinner on April 30 at The Vale Golf Club, a race night at The Oddfellows Arms on May 12, a concert and dance night on May 14 at Ridgeway Middle School and a fun run on May 15.

There will also be a teddy bears' picnic on May 15 at Astwood Bank Park, a concert by the Cooler Kings supported by Bottom Line Disco on May 20 and an Official Receivers gig supported by DJ Yogi on May 21, both in the carnival marquee

Due to developments in the village, the parade will not be assembling at Yeoman's.

Floats and steam engines will start at SE Davis, tractors and self-propelled exhibits will assemble at Ridgeway Middle School and walkers and marching bands at the first school.

The route will be the same as before, except floats and tractors will travel along Evesham Road.

Tickets are available from Pete the Meat, Evesham Road.

For more details, call 892925.