WAVES of colour and sound will flood through Royal Wootton Bassett tomorrow as the annual carnival returns to the high street.

The fun will start at 10am with a packed schedule of events and exhibits, including a vintage classic car display around the town hall hosted by the Wootton Bassett Car Club.

In Borough Fields, work from Robert Paul Art will be on display, showcasing a number of wildlife, pets and portrait pieces in charcoal, gouache, oils, pencil crayon, pastel and watercolour. There will also be a raffle with one lucky winner able to take home a specially produced, original piece of art.

Once again, George The Royal Lion will be on the prowl, and there will be performances from Cadley Dance Studios, Bang to Rites Drummers, Royal Wootton Bassett Brass, Swindon Samba, and Dorcan Academy Steel Drums during the day.

At around 11.30am there will be a brief break in festivities while a wreath is laid at the war memorial by members of the Ride of Respect, which is due to travel through the town on Sunday(may17.).

Ceri Pridding, a carnival committee member, said this year promises to be as spectacular as ever.

"We are in the 43rd year of the Wootton Bassett Carnival, and it's gone through good times and bad times but it's still going.

"From the little brownies to the oldies like us at the Rotary Club it's always a great opportunity to dress up and be a bit silly for the day.

"The carnival committee are all volunteers and work full-time, we run the carnival because we love our town and the event is so important to the community.

"It costs £4,000 each year to run the event, so donations from the whole community are vital to its survival.

"All the local businesses are fantastic, offering sponsorships either in money or in kindness, and they're a great support. We're always looking to try and get adequate sponsorship so we can bring back the community grants and things "

The carnival procession itself will start from 4.30pm in Marlowe Avenue, and will make it's way around the town along Stoneover Lane and on to Noremarsh Road. It then heads up Station Road before arriving in the High Street between 6-6.30pm.

Drivers are reminded there will be a rolling road closure during this time.

This year, the procession will include floats from The Bournemouth Carnival Band, Swindon Samba, Devizies Major Wrecks, Bluebelle Majorettes, Bang to Rites, Wootton Bassett Fire Service, and Heart FM.

Ceri said: "It's always a popular event and we only wish more people would get involved with it. People tend to think about the drawbacks rather than the positives. It doesn't have to be a trailer or a car for the vehicle, we have many walking processions and it could be a pram."

If that wasn't entertainment enough, Scarrott's Fun Fair will be running in tandem to the carnival, and people can enjoy the entertainments with free entry into the fair and with family rides, children's rides and side stalls.