BURNLEY is gearing up for two of the biggest events in the summer calendar this weekend - the King Cotton Carnival and Burnley Agricultural Show.

Saturday's carnival, now in its third year, is looking ahead with a futuristic theme looking beyond the new millennium time barrier.

Community groups from all over the borough have been busy creating costumes and visual arts for the carnival procession ranging from futuristic robots to space aliens.

Key sponsors include P3 Computers who will be at a New for 99 interactive digital craft fair in the Mechanics theatre.

Burnley College, partners in the organisation of King Cotton Carnival will provide equipment for public to use with displays of new experimental work created by students.

All events are free and start at 10am. The carnival procession starts at 1pm from the Inn on the Wharf, Manchester Road heading for the Thompson leisure centre via the town centre.

At Sunday's agricultural show in Towneley Park main ring attractions will include a gun dog and falconry display team, a ride and drive relay from the light horse section and the Britannia Coconutters dance group from Bacup.

Animals provide a main element of the show with sections for cattle, sheep, dogs, horses and rabbits.

There will also be the popular bonny baby show, a fun fair, quad bikes and many stalls.

The show starts bright and early at 9am and lasts into the evening.

There is a £3 charge with all cash collected going towards organising next year's show.

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