A DAZZLING procession through Burnley town centre will be the highlight of the town's first King Cotton Carnival this summer. Organisers are promising a lively day of entertainment which will celebrate Burnley's industrial heritage and, they hope, create a modern festival tradition for years to come.

Artists, entertainers and musicians are all contributing the extravaganza on June 14. More than 500 performers are taking part.

The carnival will give a new lease of life to the old cotton-related events which were once held regularly in the area.

Organiser Anthony Preston, of Burnley council, said: "Half a century ago Queen Cotton beauty pageants were common throughout Lancashire. What we are trying to do is remake a tradition, moving away from its beauty-pageant origins and turning it into a celebration of diversity and sense of place."

The procession, starting at the wharf and ending at the bandstand, will tell the story of the cotton industry and its impact on the North West. Twenty arts, community and professional groups will each play their own part in the story.

The climax will come with the crowning of a Carnival King and Queen Cotton.

It's not too late to contribute to the event. Groups and individuals can take part in the procession or organise other activities. For details phone the tourism and arts department on 437840.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.