A SUMMER carnival is set to make a comeback this year after it was axed for the first time in its history.

Organisers of Adlington Carnival say this year's event will be bigger and better than ever to make up for last year's cancellation.

Last year's carnival had to be scrapped for the first time in 30 years due to a shortage of volunteers and safety fears.

Alan Birtwistle, carnival committee chairman, said: "We have got big plans for this year.

"I will go down in history as the only chairman who ever cancelled Adlington Carnival. I don't want to live with that, so we are coming back strong with a much better show."

But preparations and fundraising for this year's event are well under way and new volunteers are helping to get the August show ready.

"We have got a number of young people on board who have a lot of fresh ideas," said Mr Birtwistle.

But more volunteers and business sponsors were needed for the event at the Jubilee Playing Fields.

Mr Birtwistle said they were looking for a celebrity guest to open the carnival and Peter Kay was high on their wish list.

The carnival was launched in 1972 and famous names such as Frank Bruno, Val Doonican, Ken Dodd, and Cannon and Ball have appeared.

The carnival in 2004 was nearly cancelled but, after an appeal for help, the show was saved and was a big success. The carnival this year will take place on August 11, 12 and 13.

The next meeting of the carnival committee is on Tuesday, February 7, at 8pm in the White Bar Hotel in Market Street, Adlington.

Anyone wanting to volunteer can call Mr Birtwistle on 01257 480370.