THE route for this year?s Tavistock Carnival parade is to be shortened to attract more walking entries and make it less tiring for the growing number of children participating.

The parade, on Saturday, July 19, will still assemble in Down Road and follow its usual route along Plymouth Road, turning right at Drake?s statue and right again along West Street. The parade will then turn right into Bedford Square, finishing at Abbey Rise instead of passing along Duke Street and Brook Street, across Vigo Bridge and back to Abbey Rise.

Steve Grummitt, press officer for organisers Tavistock Lions Club, said they were confident of attracting more walking entries with the change ? a trend which started a few years ago when fewer lorries were available due to problems with transport owners obtaining suitable insurance cover.

?However, the insurance problem has been overcome, and two local haulage companies have vehicles available for free use on the day,? Mr Grummitt said. Anybody wanting transport should contact either Langdon?s Transport on 01752 777110 or Pethick Transport on 01822 611077.

The theme for the procession, which will start at 6.30pm, is ?Children?s Stories and Pantomimes? and a new class has been introduced for the best decorated pram or cycle.

Two new events during the week will be a fashion evening at Tavistock College, and a swimming gala at Meadowlands pool followed by a barbecue.

Carnival week will start on Friday, July 11 with a two-day motor show in Bedford Square, featuring a display of mobility equipment along with the normal range of cars.

Music will be a strong theme throughout the week, with a Plymouth Sound-sponsored disco at the Ordulph Arms on Saturday, a musical evening at the Bedford Hotel on the Monday, the Rame Head Peninsula Choir in the parish church on Wednesday and a final music night at the Union Inn on Thursday.

Other events will include the fun day in the Meadows on the Sunday, the parish bowls competition the following day, the pavement artists competition on the Tuesday and the Tavistock town race and junior fun run, organised by the athletics club, on the Thursday.

There will be a fun cycle ride, sponsored by Tavistock Cycles, on the Thursday evening and on Friday a three-legged race around the local pubs ? an event which Mr Grummitt said proved to be ?very popular? last year.

On Carnival Day itself there will be a fun fair in Bedford Square with plenty of street entertainment and music, plus the baby show in the parish rooms.