STOURPORT is preparing for double the fun after carnival organisers confirmed this year's extravaganza is to be an all weekend party.

It is the first time in six years the annual event, which is the biggest land and river carnival in the country, has been extended to two days.

The colourful land and river parades take place on Saturday, September 2. Crowds will then descend on Riverside Meadows, where they will be entertained long into the night.

Admission to the arena will be free and the carnival spirit will be prolonged with stalls and a funfair on the following day.

Carnival press officer, Pete Roberts, has urged residents to get in touch with entertainment suggestions for the event, now in its 81st year.

He explained: "We are really keen to hear from people in Stourport to find out what they want to see because it is their carnival and it raises money for people in their town.

"We will look into everything suggested to see if it is possible to put on. There might be hundreds of people in the town who want to see a parachutist land in the arena but if they do not get in touch we will never know.

"We are also trying to get more people from the area involved with the entertainment. If there are any bands or acts interested, then they should not hesitate to contact us."

Carnival queen, princess and rosebud entries are still being sought. The closing date for entries is April 28 and judging will take place at The Stourport Manor Hotel on May 7.

Application forms for floats and stalls are available from Pete's Prints, 26 Bridge Street.

For further information, contact Mr Roberts on 01299 826930.

STOURPORT CARNIVAL QUEEN, ROSEBUD, PRINCESS, ENTRY FORM

NAME...........................................................

ADDRESS.....................................................

......................................................................

TELEPHONE NUMBER................................

DATE OF BIRTH...........................................

HOBBIES, LIKES..........................................

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Please send your entry to

Victoria Brown,

39 Balmoral Court, Chaddesley

Road, Kidderminster, DY10 3AH or Pete's Prints, 26 Bridge Street,

Stourport,

DY13 8UR.

The closing date for entries is Friday, April 28.