TIME is running out to enter this year’s Chard Children’s Carnival.

The parade starts at Manor Court School at noon on Saturday, October 4.

It will go down Mill Lane to Boden Street, up Fore Street past the Guildhall, along Holyrood Street and back to Manor Court.

It should take less than 45 minutes and the roads will be closed.

The main carnival starts from the Numatics site at 7.25pm on Saturday, October 11, following a route through town via Old Town, St Mary’s Church, Crowshute Link and down High Street to finish at Victoria Roundabout and back at Numatic.

Before, during and after the procession some roads in and around the town centre will be closed from 6.30pm until about 10.30pm.

Diversion routes are clearly marked on the approach to town and all road closures are manned by marshals.

Fundraising events leading up to the big day include a general knowledge quiz at the Lordleaze Hotel at 7pm on Saturday, October 5.

Carnival committee chairman Andrew Chant said: “We’re hoping for a great turnout to both our carnivals and the events this year.

“The carnival clubs have been working hard all year to make the processions great fun to watch.

“We hope you can spare change to put into the collections at both events – we couldn’t run a carnival without the public and your continued support means so much to us.

“This year, funds raised will go straight back into charitable causes in and around Chard, and we continue to welcome potential organisations to get in touch with the committee to be included on our list.”

A bingo event earlier this month raised £300 and there will be a motorcycle run on Sunday.

Thursday saw the crowning of Miss Chard Chelsie Bale, 13, who goes to Holyrood Academy, and carnival princess Maia Watson, nine, a pupil at Redstart Primary School.

Chard Mayor Jenny Kenton crowned the girls and congratulated them all on the £6,500 they raised This year there are also two princess attendants – Abi Winter, eight, and Kaysha Hatson, seven.