THIS year marks the 30th anniversary of the hugely popular Astwood Bank Carnival, and to mark the occasion organisers are promising something special.

The theme for this year’s procession is that participants can choose any of the previous 29 themes to decorate their floats and walking groups.

As in all Astwood Bank Carnival events the aim is that the community has fun while raising vital cash for local groups and charities.

Astwood Bank Carnival chairman Ashley Hewitt: “This is a real celebration of our wide community coming together and having a great day out.

"We know for some of the children in particular, we are helping them create memories that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. And whilst doing this we also raise much needed funds for many groups."

The carnival weekend kicks off on Friday, July 7 with a barn dance taking place in the carnival marquee at SE Davis in Edgioake Lane.

On Saturday, July 8 the numerous lorries will be getting their final decorative treatments, before being judged by Redditch MP Rachel Maclean and town mayor Jennifer Wheeler.

They will then leave the SE Davis field at noon in a procession led by this year’s carnival royalty in a horse drawn carriage.

Intermingled with the floats will be a series of bands and walking groups.

As the procession returns to SE Davis the carnival atmosphere continues with stalls, fairground attractions, a bring your own fun dog show, and beer and Pimms tents.

There will also be a flypast by a Lancaster Bomber (conditional upon aircraft availability) and a display by the Wye Valley Axemen.

Mr Hewitt added: "None of this would be possible without all of the great support we get from local businesses.”

For more information on the event, visit astwoodbankcarnival.co.uk.

There will be road closures in place across Astwood Bank between noon and 2pm on Saturday, July 8.