ILKLEY Carnival has announced the full line up for 2015’s May Day event, with stuntman, Mark Stannage, headlining the bill.

The Fantasy and Fiction themed carnival has booked him to deliver a “high action, death-defying show” on the carnival showground.

Mark said: “The carnival is a great opportunity for me to perform in front of thousands of people. My show will include motorbike stunts, quad stunts, high falls, wheelies, fire stunts and mountain bike stunts from Guinness World Record holder Aaron Stannage.

“I hope to generate nail-biting excitement at the showground as I complete the 60ft flaming high dive and with added explosions, extra spectacular for the carnival crowds.”

The 2015 event sees the return of the carnival’s famous parade and after a hugely successful 2014 which saw over 1,200 school children, charities and organisations take part, the Ilkley Carnival committee has reported entries are up on last year.

Ilkley Carnival committee chairman, Andrew Stacey, said: “We’re delighted we can continue to keep booking acts like Mark Stannage who will excite the crowd with his thrill-seeking, hair-raising stunts. Acts like Mark help us bring the crowd on to the carnival showground where we can raise the money to fulfil the wishes of the four schools chosen as beneficiaries.

“The parade sets the carnival apart from the rest and we’ve been assured participants are going all out to make it spectacular. You’ll be impressed at how creative and inventive the school children and organisations are with their costume designs.”

This year sees the first fun dog show, an under 11s football tournament, a falconry show, Punch and Judy, a mystical jungle tent, a free craft tent, circus skills and vintage cars. Ilkley Rocks will return, with some of Yorkshire’s finest musical talents.

Andrew added: “The carnival’s volunteer committee have worked hard to make this carnival the best and biggest yet, and we can’t wait to see bumper crowds once again this year.”

Advance tickets are now on sale online, ilkleycarnival.org at £3 for adults, £1 children. Tickets on the day, £4 adults, £1 children.