ONE of the region's best carnivals is just days away, with the final preparations being made for the 111th Hatherleigh Carnival on Saturday, November 8.

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.

Tilly Jackson will be this year's carnival queen. This is the first time that Tilly has been involved in the carnival and expressed her thanks to the community for supporting her in the role.

She will be joined by prince and princess William and Abbie Bennett, who both attend Hatherleigh Primary School. William has been a member of the Falcons Gymnastic Academy in Barnstaple since he was five years old and competes for Devon in gymnastics.

He also plays for Hatherleigh's under 12s football team and the cricket club's colt team. Abbie attends the Squire Sisters dance school, is also a keen swimmer and a member of Brownies.

Alma Knight, who helped run the carnival for many years, has been chosen as 2014 carnival president. She has been an important member of the carnival committee over the years, taking on the roles of both secretary and treasurer.

At 8pm on Friday, November 7, the procession of the unlit tar barrels through the town to Oakfield Road takes place.

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

The Eggesford Hunt meets in the square at 11am, followed by the judging of the shop window competition 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.

At 5.45pm the carnival floats assemble in the market for judging at 6pm prompt. Entrants must register floats in the market office upon arrival.

The judging of the walking guys takes place at 6pm, with the judging of visiting carnival royalty at 6.30pm.

The main procession starts at 7.30pm, passing through 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.