CORONATION Street's Kirk Sutherland is set to become this year's Adlington Carnival celebrity guest.

Bradshaw actor Andrew Whyment, who plays comic Kirk in the ITV soap, will be at the carnival on Saturday, August 7, where he will crown the carnival queens and sign autographs.

The 23-year-old is the latest in a long line of soap stars to grace the streets of the village during carnival season. Last year's special guest was Jimmi Harkishin, who plays Corrie Casanova Dev.

Other Corrie stars who have wooed the Adlington Carnival crowds include Alan Halsall (Tyrone), Bruce Jones (Les Battersby) and Steve Arnold (Ashley), Heartbeat star Tricia Penrose (Gina) and several Emerdale actors.

Organisers claim this year's carnival, which has been brought forward a week to avoid clashing with other local events, will be better than ever.

Organiser Jennie Snape said: "The carnival gets better every year and this year is no exception. It will be bigger and better than ever.

"I haven't met Andrew yet, but I'm told he is fun and entertaining and hopefully he will bring people in. All we need now is for the weather to be on our side."

The fun kicks off on Friday, August 6, with bingo in the Jubilee playing field marquee, a show from Comedy Sportz and the final of the Pop Stars competition.

Andrew Whyment will be in Adlington for Saturday's carnival parade, which winds its way through the village from 1pm.

The procession is set to include dressage horses, bands and majorettes as well as the traditional colourful floats, decorated vehicles and fancy dress. Saturday night sees the all-star cabaret take over the marquee with Tamla Motion, Trinity, Dance Odyssey and Janice Yorke. Tickets cost £10.50 and are available from Mike on 01257 481941.

On Sunday the playing fields will come alive with a disappearing motorbike, paint ball, stalls and fun fair, as well as the return of the 33ft-high inflatable Titanic adventure slide.