AUGUST Bank Holiday Monday can only mean one thing in Ledbury, for that is the date for the annual Town Carnival.

Thousands of people are expected to flock to the town centre and organisers are keeping their fingers crossed for decent weather, this time round.

At the time of going to press, the forecasts for Bank Holiday Monday in Ledbury pointed towards an overcast day, with some sunshine, no rain, and with only a moderate breeze.

This year's carnival, the 41st in the town in modern times, will have the theme "Step Back in Time".

The grand procession, one of the highlights of the day, will be be certain to bring back memories.

Organisers hope that the theme will open the doors for floats inspired by history and nostalgia.

The procession will leave Ledbury Rugby Club, on the Ross Road, at noon.

It will then travel up New Street, turn left into the High Street, pass through The Homend and then taken another left turn into Orchard Lane.

It should arrive at Ledbury Primary at some point between 1pm and 1.30pm, depending on progress.

St Katherine’s, Bye Street and Lawnside Road car parks will be closed for public parking from 6am to 8pm on the Carnival Day, Monday August 31.

A Carnival spokesman said: "Please remove parked cars from the car parks by 6am."

The car parks will be used for stalls, fairground rides and other attractions.

Limited Parking will be available at Bridge Street car park, and access will be from the bypass and up Bridge Street

Last year's carnival was affected by very rainy weather, which reduced crown numbers to around 5000; but it is not unusual for Ledbury Carnivals to attract twice that number of fun seekers.

Attractions this year will include two local bands - Nice and Sleazy and Frontrunner, on the main stage.

The Mirage belly dance troupe and the St Andrew's Pipe Marching Band will be performing and taking part in the procession.

This year’s Carnival Princess is Kori Marsh-Miller, aged 9, of Bosbury Primary, and her attendants are Angie Vasileva, aged 10, of Ledbury Primary, and Amy Faizey, also aged 10, of Ledbury Primary.

A competition was held for local primary youngsters to find a suitable cover for the Carnival programme.

The winner was Molly Schofield, of Much Marcle Primary.