Don't stop the carnival!

It was hoped that opera singer Leslie Garrett would put in an appearance and crown this year's carnival queen elect, Amanda Thompson, but unfortunately she has another engagement on the day.

Amanda, aged 16, is a gifted pianist, and has performed at the Albert Hall with the international singer, who agreed to attend the crowning ceremony if her schedule allowed.

This year's carnival queen elect is from Keighley in Yorkshire. Pageboy elect is Ben Simpson, aged five, Rosebud elect Malandra Harris, aged seven, and Junior Queen elect Kerry McGuinnes, aged 15.

They share the Royal platform with Carnival Princess elect Emma Louise Ginn, aged 10, of Bolton and Petal Lyndsie Chorlton, aged three, of Westhoughton.

They will all join carnival royalty from neighbouring towns in the procession which gets underway at 1pm from the junction of Green Barn Lane and Manchester Road. And it's still not too late to enter a float in the big parade.

Entertainment gets underway on the community centre field at Vicarage Road at 1.30pm and continues right through to 5.30pm.

This year's main attraction is shepherdess and sheepdog trial competitor, Elaine Hill. Elaine's Border Collies usually work sheep in their day-to-day environment and on the trial field, but at displays they swap sheep for geese, ducks and ducklings.

Blackrod Karate Club will also be giving a demonstration and there will also be an exhibition of Thai-boxing. Other attractions are a classic car show and 1,000 Morris girls will be dancing the afternoon away.

As usual there will be a fun fair and plenty of food and drink.

All proceeds from the street collection during the carnival procession will go to local charity and organisers are appealing for more volunteers to carry collecting tins along the carnival route. Volunteers and people wishing to take part in the parade should meet at Green Barn Lane at 12.30pm.

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