MOTORISTS have been advised to steer clear of parts of Accrington during tomorrow's peak-time carnival procession.

Police say drivers should try and avoid the town centre during the procession, which is expected to last more than two hours.

The event is organised by Accrington Lions and a whole host of entertainments on the day will include a wild west adventure teaching lassooing, and a mini circus.

Inspector Phil Cottam, Accrington's police commander, said: "The main object of the police operation will be to facilitate the safe passage of the carnival around the town, while ensuring, as far as possible, any disruption to motorists and buses is kept to a minimum.

"However, I would anticipate that with the time of the procession being 10.45am there is going to be some disruption caused along the carnival route."

The procession, which will include floats and fancy dress entrants, will set off from the Globe Centre in St James Square, Accrington.

Form there it will go along Eagle Street, right on to Blackburn Road, and to the town hall where there will be a half hour break for the judging of the floats by Hyndburn Mayor Councillor Wyn Frankland.

After the judging the procession will make its way on to Abbey Street, down Whalley Road, across the junction with Eastgate, and right onto Queens Road.

It will then turn onto Penny House Lane and some of the procession will go to Thorneyholme Road, while the main body of it will continue across Burnley Road and on to Alice Street at around 1pm. Most of the entertainment will take place on the Peel Park Primary School playing field.

Inspector Cottam said: "We will have police officers and marshals, supplied by the local authority, who will be taking up traffic points along the route

" As far as possible I intend to allow traffic to move through the procession by the bus station while the judging is going on.

"I would make a request to motorists travelling into the town centre for the event to do so early and not park on the route, which will be subject to restrictions.

"Secondly I would advise people who are travelling through Accrington during the procession to take an alternative route if they possibly can or leave some time for their route and to expect delays in the Accrington area."