A SIXTIES theme is being adopted by promoters of the revived Bacup and Stacksteads Carnival for 2016.

And a determined effort is already underway to meet the £3,500 cost of putting on the gala event in Stubbylee Park on June 26.

So far a successful quiz has been staged at the Rose 'n' Bowl in Stacksteads, raised nearly £400 and organisers are appealing for volunteers for two bag packs, one at Tesco in Rawtenstall on April 23 and another at Bacup Morrisons on May 7.

Tickets are also being sold for a prize draw in June and a £300 donation has been forthcoming from the Bacup Townscape Heritage Initiative.

Catherine Smyth, chairman of Bacup and Stacksteads Carnival Organisation, said: "The committee is really excited about this year's event because so many groups have booked in early.

"We have never been this far ahead with entries and already we have 27 stalls in the park, all nine slots on the stage filled and, even more exciting, we have already got 20 different groups in the procession.

"Thanks to a generous grant from Winter Solicitors in Bacup, we will have a spectacular Chinese dragon dance in the procession."

Five schools have signed up to be in the parade including St Saviour's, Thorn, Britannia and Holy Trinity and Fearns Community Sports College.

Stacksteads Band is playing, accompanying the Britannia Coconutters, and Water Band will celebrate by joining the procession on a float.

An assault course is being set up by members of Veterans In Communities, Danielle and Darren Childminders has offered a £100 prize for the tug of war competition, Bacup Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society will stage an open-air production in the sunken garden and Bacup Juniors will host a 'beat the goalie' attraction.

Catherine said: "The carnival costs around £3,500 to put on because a stage is erected, portable toilets installed in the park and the organising committee has to pay for a traffic management company to ensure the parade passes off safely."

Hours of free time are also donated by the voluntary organising committee. Anyone looking to get involved can e-mail info@basco.org.uk