HISTORY will be made in more ways than one when the 75th Stourport Carnival hits the streets this weekend.

And there is sure to be a fantastic atmosphere among the 40,000 expected visitors as the town enjoys the extravaganza over two days for the first time.

Stourport High School pupil Marie Fincher - this year's carnival queen - will go down in town folklore when she heads the parade as the first person to have held the titles of rosebud, princess and queen.

This year's rosebud is five-year-old Stourport First School pupil Abigail Moore, while the princess is 10-year-old Burlish Middle School pupil Rebecca Delo.

As well as the usual land parade, two river parades and the popular firework display, the Vander Brothers Millennium Triple Wheel will also be on show.

The 30-metre high wheel, which has featured on television this year, has cages which trained stuntmen perform tricks on and is expected to prove popular with youngsters.

The carnival will open on Saturday at 11am and the land parade and first river parade begin at 12.30pm and 4pm respectively.

Other highlights include a performance by the Stourport High School Band on Saturday at 2.30pm, and a display by the Teme Valley aerobic group and parachute jump on Sunday at 2.30pm and 4pm respectively.

Carnival publicity officer Pete Roberts said: "With this being the first two-day event, the 75th carnival and the first of the new millennium, it really does promise to be a weekend to remember.

"Everybody on the carnival committee hopes people will dig deep to support the charities during the various collections we are holding, and we wish both Stourport people and our visitors a wonderful time."