ONE of the region's best carnivals is just days away, with the final preparations being made for the 110th Hatherleigh Carnival on Saturday, November 9.

The carnival was first held in 1903 under the guise of the Hatherleigh and Meeth Hospital Association Carnival, held to raise money for the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.

The tradition continues to this day, with the modern day carnival raising money for various local and national charities.

Jazzmine Stacey will be this year's carnival queen, joined by prince and princess Tyler Ware and Alisha-Marie Slee. This year's presidents are Mr and Mrs John Hill.

The carnival begins on Friday, November 8 with the unlit barrels being pulled up through the town at 8pm.

At 5am on carnival day, the first blazing barrel run takes place from Oakfield Road down Market Street, High Street, South Street and Bridge Street to the market.

The Eggesford Hunt meets in the town square 11am, followed by the town crier competition at 11.15am. Businesses and shops that have decorated their shop windows will have them judged at 11.30am.

The children's procession will assemble at Claremont Place at 1.45pm. The carnival royalty will lead the procession to the market, where the crowning of the royalty and judging of children's competitors will take place.

The main procession starts at 7.30pm, passing through Park Road, Market Street, Bridge Street, South Street, High Street and Hole Court to the market.

The second run of the blazing barrels takes place after the end of the main procession, again from Oakfield Road to the market. There will be a carnival funfair on both the Friday and Saturday, and there will be refreshments available throughout the weekend.