PREPARATIONS for the 109th Hatherleigh Carnival on November 10 are now well underway, with the barrels being tarred and the carnival royalty preparing for their duties.

Leading the event is carnival queen Miss Ellie Holland. Aged 19, Ellie has always wanted to be the queen of Hatherleigh Carnival. She will be joined by prince and princess Sebastian Haste and Ella Bowden.

This year's carnival has two joint presidents — Robin and Mandy Wonnacott. The pair have produced high quality crepe paper tableaux with their family every year since 1975 — meaning the 2012 carnival will be their 37th year of helping with the carnival.

The carnival profits this year will be shared between the Devon Air Ambulance Trust, the British Heart Foundation, and depending on the amount raised, local charities chosen by committee members at the final meeting.

The fun begins on Friday, November 9, with youngsters pulling the unlit barrels through the town at 8pm, accompanied by Hatherleigh Jazz Band.

The activities start at 5am on carnival day, with the first blazing barrel run taking place, flooding the streets with early excitement.

The town will quieten down briefly until 11am, when the hunt will meet in the Square, followed by the town crier competition and the judging of the shop window competition.

At 1.45pm, the children's procession will assemble at Claremont Place complete with this year's royalty to lead the parade through the town to the market, where the carnival royalty will be crowned. The judging of the floats takes place at 6pm.

Bands will march through the town at 7.15pm in preparation for the main procession, which moves off from Park Road at 7.30pm.

The day's events will be capped off with the mesmeric final barrel run of the carnival. Throughout the day there will be refreshments, amusements, and a fun fair for all ages on both Friday and Saturday.

Visitors are asked to ensure their car does not obstruct the carnival route, and are advised to park in the market car park.

The carnival committee is looking for additional marshals to help guide the crowds on the night. Helpers will get the best view on the night. If you can help, call carnival secretary Dawn Stevens on 01837 810265.