THERE will be a Ledbury Carnival next year, despite earlier fears that this might not happen at all, and its theme will be "heroes and villains".

The theme was decided at the AGM of the Ledbury Carnival Committee on Monday, November 9, which was attended by around a dozen people, at the town council offices in Church Lane.

Carnival committee chairman, Hilary Jones will be the chairman again, and speaking afterwards she expressed the hope that the new theme would inspire a large procession on August Bank Holiday Monday, 2016.

She said: "Any budding James Bonds can start thinking about this now - it could be any hero from film, literature or history.

"There will be a 2016 Carnival. I think this could be a very good procession. People don't need a lorry to take part. They can walk in costume in the procession and help to make the day bright and cheerful."

A strong showing with the bucket collections at the 2015 Carnival helped to secure the future of the event.

After the 2014 Carnival, which suffered from deluge conditions, donations to the buckets were relatively low and the committee considered pulling the plug, if the 2015 also suffered from a low turn-out and bad weather.

In fact, Carnival day in 2015 was also rather rainy.

But the crowd this year was estimated at 8000 strong or more, at least 3000 up on the 2014 total; and greater community support threw an essential life-line to the annual event.

Ledbury Carnival costs over £8000 each year, with the aim of breaking even.

The funding comes from donations, including bucket collections, sponsorship and revenue from commercial stalls.

The committee has expressed thanks to the Carnival's 20 plus sponsors, and also the members of the public who put over £2200 into the collection buckets on the day.

Some members of the committee have decided to stand down, including Brenda Hill, who has been the chaperone for the Carnival Princesses for many years.

The committee is always on the look-out for new members and supporters, to help plan an event which, on the best of years, can attract over 10,000 people to the town centre.

Further details on, 07779 432289.