AS the summer really hots up, Ledbury Carnival organisers say plans are hotting up too for the largest single day's event on the town's annual calendar, on August Bank Holiday Monday.

Carnival Committee member, Hilary Jones said: "Obviously things are moving on a-pace now with arrangements for this year's Carnival."

And fellow committee member, Jill Jupp added: "It's not just on the day, it's everything that has to be done behind the scenes that takes up a lot of time."

Because of this, and with the committee currently having only eight regular members, instead of an ideal base of 12, and with this year's costs likely to top £10,000, extra hands on deck and more sponsors will always be most welcome.

But plans for the programme are already coming along nicely, thanks to the hard work of Carnival Committee stalwart, Johnny Chan.

The committee recently ran a design competition among the local schools, and Zoe Lloyd of Bromsberrow Primary will have the pleasure of seeing her designs used on the front and back covers.

The programme should be out by the end of July, and Ledbury Carnival Day, which on some years has brought 10,000 people to the town centre, will take place on Monday, August 28.

The committee is hopeful that this year's book-based theme, "A Novel Idea", will lead to a bumper procession, because floats and walkers in fancy dress will be able to make use of favourite books for inspiration.

Ledbury's new Carnival Princess has been chosen and crowned, and she is Emily Ryan, aged nine, of Colwall Primary.

Her attendants are Tilly Wright, aged 9, of Ledbury Primary and Layla Crickett, aged nine, of Much Marcle Primary.

Further details about Ledbury Carnival on http://www.ledburycarnival.co.uk/