PLANNING for next year's Ledbury Carnival is going full steam ahead with a healthy fighting fund and a theme already sorted.

Ledbury Carnival is the single biggest one day event on Ledbury's calendar, attracting upwards of 10,000 people to the town centre.

A recent meeting of the Carnival Committee heard that bucket collects at the August 2017 Carnival topped the £2000 target, with £2400 being raised, and a raffle added a further £800.

Carnival committee chairman, Hilary Jones said: "The money raised by the raffle as greatly helped by selling over the bank holiday weekend at Tesco.

"We thank everyone who has supported the event with donations, grants and for getting involved."

Mrs Jones added: "It requires around £9,000 working budget to stage the carnival so we are very grateful for sponsorship from local businesses to help us achieve this goal."

The meeting was attended by the Carnival Committee and several members of the public.

Pauline Bates stood down as procession co-ordinator but will stay on the committee and Jamie Ruth Hobby who has been assisting her over the last few years has taken on the role.

Mrs Jones said: "Pauline was formally thanked for all her hard work as over the last ten years in this capacity.

"We gained two new committee members, Alison Thomas, Paul Bartlett and Kelly Thomas. Alison is taking on the role of shop decorating and raffle co-ordinator which I've been combining with other roles over the last few years, so that will be of great assistance to me."

Clive Jupp remains as vice chair and Janet Meredith has been re-elected as treasurer.

Mrs Jones said of this year's successful carnival: "Huge crowds obviously encouraged by the hottest day of the summer and great party atmosphere.

"The procession was extremely colourful, and everyone including the shops found the theme "A novel idea" very popular to work with."

Now all eyes are on next summer's carnival.

Mrs Jones said: "The theme will be 'LED-FEST' - a celebration of carnivals and festivals."