'TIME' is the unusual theme chosen by Tavistock Lions Club for this year's carnival procession, which takes place on Saturday, July 20.

Plans for this year's carnival programme are well in hand and the week's entertainment will start on Friday, July 12 with a music evening in the Wharf organised by music promoter Jude Rotten and featuring a number of local groups.

Popular events such as the baby show, the folk night and the pavement artists' competition will also be included as well as the successful concert in the church on the Wednesday of carnival week. This year it will feature the gospel choir from Tavistock College and Blowzone as well as Stannary Brass.

Tavistock Athletic Club will be organising its usual town races and a skittles competition is planned for local businesses on the Friday.

Last year, fun day in the Meadows on the Sunday had to be cancelled due to the waterlogged condition of the ground, but Lions Club member Keith Penney said he was pleased that most of the organisations which had agreed to participate last year will be there this year to celebrate the 'Olympic legacy'.

Steve Grummitt, Lions Club spokesman, said: 'The Lions are extremely delighted to announce that local chef Peter Gorton has agreed to help with the club's fundraising efforts and will be staging a barbecue and summer cooking demonstration at the Bedford Hotel on the Monday evening.

'The Lions are confident that this will be a very popular event so it will be important to book early once the tickets become available nearer to carnival.'

Carnival day on July 20 will include the all-day fair in Bedford Square and the last chance to buy carnival draw tickets before the procession starts from Down Road at 6.30pm.

Further information on carnival week will be available in due course on the club's website at http://www.tavistocklions.org.uk">www.tavistocklions.org.uk or by calling 0845 8334807.

Entry forms for the carnival princess competition and the procession will be published in the Times nearer the time.