ILKLEY Carnival 2016 is just days away and parents, volunteers and organisers are working around the clock to make this the best carnival ever.

Setting the scene for another spectacular event on Bank Holiday Monday, May 2, the Best of British themed parade has attracted more than 1,000 participants including appearances from The Mr Men, HRH Queen Elizabeth II, Mary Berry, The Royals in Minature and Nelson’s flagship HMS Victory, in what the organisers are heralding as the biggest pagent the town has ever seen.

With the parade marking the start of a full day of events, visitors onto the carnival showground at East Holmes Field will be entertained by Knights of the Damned jousting on horseback, a classic car show, the Ilkley Rocks music festival, fun dog show, the under 12s football tournament, donkey rides, free children’s entertainment including Punch & Judy, Chester Amazing and a craft tent, plus food, drink and more than 40 trade and charity stalls. The adjacent Ilkley Cricket Club will host the arrival of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance at 3.30pm followed by the return of the 130-year-old Black Hats vs White Hats cricket match at 4.30pm.

Ilkley Carnival chairman Andrew Stacey said: “Ilkley Carnival carries a serious intention to raise valuable funds for the community and thanks to local sponsors, advertisers and loyal supporters who follow the parade onto the ticket-only carnival showground, raises an average £10k raised per year for local good causes.”

This year’s primary beneficiary organisations which will collectively receive 50 per cent of the profits raised, are ‘Aware’ (Airedale and Wharfedale Autism Resource), Ilkley Christchurch Scout Group and Ilkley Cricket Club which needs new flood defences after suffering devastating damage in the Boxing Day floods.

Ilkley Christchurch Scout Group is the first new scout group to open in the Wharfedale District for 37 years. Although the pack has grown since its launch in 2014, the group needs funding for camp equipment to enable the cubs to take part in more adventurous outdoor activities. Parent-run group AWARE supports families with children on the autistic spectrum by offering information, advice and opportunities to share experiences. With almost 300 members the group provides play and leisure opportunities to children and young people with autism.

Link worker Margaret Nash said: “Aware offers a lifeline for parents of children with autism and experiential support for the children themselves. We are desperate for funding to take the children on residential weekends which can cost around £10k per trip. We would urge everyone to support Ilkley Carnival by coming down to the showground and buying a ticket to enjoy the whole event. Your support will make a huge difference to so many local lives.”

Ilkley Carnival is not only sporting a new look and feel in 2016 but is introducing the most new entertainment ever seen in one year.

Andrew said: “It’s hard to believe that just five years ago, we thought Ilkley Carnival was coming to its natural end through lack of support and interest – people actually said they left town on carnival day! But thanks to the determination and strength of a small committee and the fantastic support of local parents, schools, volunteer helpers and businesses - in particular Kashmiri Aroma which has sponsored for three consecutive years - we have raised just under £50k since 2012 for local good causes.

“Ilkley Carnival has reclaimed its place as one of our town’s most loved and highly anticipated events, but we can only make it work for the community with the support of local people who are willing to pay on the gates to enjoy an afternoon of entertainment that has taken almost 12 months to organise.”

He added: “With over 10,000 visitors last year we believe we can draw an even bigger crowd into the town to kick start summer ’16 with an unmissable event that everyone feels a part of.”

Ilkley Carnival is on Monday, May 2 and begins at 9am with the football tournament on the showground followed by the start of the parade at 11.30am on The Grove which arrives at the East Holmes Field showground at 12noon. Advance tickets for a full day of entertainment are priced at £4 for adults and £1 for children and OAPs if bought in advance at Ilkley Visitor Centre, on The Grove on Saturday 30 April or at the Real Food Market Ilkley on Sunday 1 May. Tickets on the day will be priced at £5 per adult and £1 per child and OAPs.

For more information see www.ilkleycarnival.org