RINGWOOD is gearing up to host one of the biggest volunteer-run carnivals in the country on Saturday.

Final preparations are being made for the town’s biggest event of the year, with plenty on offer as ever – crowds in their thousands are expected to line the narrow streets.

The first Ringwood Carnival was held in 1929, with the event held every year since 1950.

The children’s afternoon procession will leave Parkside Estate at 2pm, winding its way around the town, which will be closed to traffic, before returning at 3pm.

The torchlight evening procession will start at 7.15pm and return at 8.30pm.

Scores of decorated floats will parade around the town, and Sampson’s Horses will lead the Carnival Queen.

Stilt-walkers, jugglers, buskers and clowns will keep the crowds amused with day-long street entertainment, while on the Bickerley a fun fair will be open all day, closing at 11.45pm, and there will be a host of trade stands and live music.

There will be fire performers in Market Place and Friday’s Cross, a samba band and a circus skills workshop, plus a great line-up of other bands including rock, folk and marching bands.

Five local bands will be playing all day at the Gateway. The day will culminate in a firework display.

It will all raise funds for good causes in the area.

Michael Lingam-Willgoss, vice-chairman of the carnival committee, said the carnival was on course to be another great community event.

He said: “Ringwood Carnival really brings people together.”

Isabella Rix, 16, has been chosen to be carnival queen this year, along with attendants Becky D’Arcy and Mabel Collins.

Isabella, a sixth form student at Ringwood School, said: “I’m really looking forward to the carnival. It should be great.”