ORGANISERS of Dorchester Carnival are encouraging people to take advantage of a break in tradition for this year’s procession.

Around twenty entries have already come in for the centrepiece of the county town’s carnival day on Saturday, June 16 but, with no theme for the parade this year, Dorchester Round Table are encouraging others to sign up and take part.

Procession officer Ellis Ford said: “We want to engage with new groups, companies and families and encourage them to come and take part in the procession in addition to those groups that take part in the procession every year.

“By having no theme, groups can do what they like.” Mr Ford added that, while the level of entries so far had been impressive, he was still hoping for plenty more to come forward over the next few weeks to really make it a procession to remember.

He said: “We are once again looking for the whole community to get behind the carnival and enter the procession on Saturday, June 16 and we would dearly love to have more entries.”

There will also be a financial incentive for organisations to get involved in the procession, with a top prize of £300 for the winner of each of the four classes and further cash prizes for the floats that come second, third or fourth.

Carnival chairman John Palmer said: “We want to increase the incentive for more groups to enter the procession and reward them more for the hard work they put into their entries.”

The Carnival Queen will lead the procession accompanied by a Carnival King as the parade takes its usual route from the Market car park up to Top O’Town roundabout and back through High West Street, Acland Road, South Walks and Weymouth Avenue.

To enter the procession contact Mr Ford at <&bh"mailto:ellisford1968@gmail.com">ellisford1968@ gmail.com<&eh> or call 07809 533251.

Forms are also available from dorchestercarnival.co.uk