THE highlight of Radcliffe's social calendar takes place tomorrow.

Yes, it is the 34th Radcliffe Carnival and organisers are hoping for sunshine.

Last year torrential rain conspired with community apathy to make the carnival the worst in memory.

Carnival chairman Mr Ray Vevers says he is crossing his fingers that this year's event will be better than ever.

The fun will begin at Red Bank Fields at 10am with a majorettes display. An all-day car boot sale will commence at the same time.

Floats will be judged between 1pm and 1.30pm, and starting at 1.40pm there will be morris dancing displays.

The carnival parade will set off from the field at 2pm. The route will be Unsworth Street, Lowe Street, Ainsworth Road, Water Street, Blackburn Street, Pilkington Way, Stand Lane, Church Street, Rectory Lane, Spring Lane, Water Street and Unsworth Street. Those roads will be closed from 1.30pm until 4.30pm.

From 2.30pm onwards there will be a display on the field by the Bolton and Bury Field Gun Association.

The queen's arena opening ceremony takes place at 4.30pm followed by the parade and crowning of queens.

Michelle Earl (24) of Ullswater Road, Flixton, will become the new queen. Andrea West (12) of Carmona Drive, Prestwich, will be the junior queen, and Natasha Freeman (8) of Polefield Grange, Prestwich, the princess.

Jade Martin (6) of Lowton Street, Radcliffe, will continue as rosebud.

Throughout the day there will be a whole host of stalls, sideshows and exhibits, and Silcock's Fair will be open from 11am until 10pm.

Carnival president Mr Colin Jones said: "I cannot stress how important the support of the people of Radcliffe is to the success of our carnival, not only to the people who benefit from the money raised but also the people who meet and work all the year round to make this one day as successful as possible."

He added: "It has, over the years, become more and more difficult, for many reasons, to maintain the very high standards that we expect of our carnival, but the committee is constantly rising to the challenge and trying to attract more entrants."

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