RICHARD PARR The stage is set today for the highlight of Wells Carnival Week with a colourful array of events and parade of decorated floats through the town.Thousands of people are expected to join the Carnival Day party atmosphere at the climax of a busy week which has seen record attendances in beautiful sunshine.

RICHARD PARR

The stage is set today for the highlight of Wells Carnival Week with a colourful array of events and parade of decorated floats through the town.

Thousands of people are expected to join the Carnival Day party atmosphere at the climax of a busy week which has seen record attendances in beautiful sunshine.

Yesterday, as the seaside town basked in high temperatures, record numbers of children took part in the gillying competition (catching crabs) along the harbour's edge.

About 300 children, armed with buckets and nets, got to work and the prize for the most crabs caught went to friends Jack Vile and Tom Everest, both 13, from Essex.

The biggest crab, measuring 7.7 centimetres, was caught by 21-year-old Andrew Barnett, from Maplethorpe in Lincolnshire.

The winners were presented with fishing rods and reels by carnival queen Carys Groom.

Over at the Maltings, record numbers of youngsters were having a great time at the robot workshops. Using all sorts of materials, including cardboard, coloured paper and glue, the youngsters made the outer casing of their robots and these were then put on to radio-controlled bases and raced along a circuit.

Yesterday afternoon, the sun-drenched beach was the venue for the sandcastle-making and sculpture competition. The youngsters let their creative minds run riot with a variety of weird and wonderful creations in sand with prizes for the winning entries.

Last night, hundreds of people turned out to see and dance on the Buttlands to the performance by Lee Vasey Band.

Carnival chairman Patrick Weston could not hide his excitement: “We couldn't have asked for better weather, particularly after all the rain. It's been an unbelievably successful week with a lovely, happy family atmosphere.

“Everything now looks set for a great carnival day and we are expecting thousands of people to line the streets and watch the colourful parade of decorated floats.”

There is still time for individuals to take part and walk in the parade. All they have to do is dress up in the costume of their choice and turn up at the Buttlands in time for the start of the parade at about 3pm.

SATURDAY'S EVENTS

11am - Carnival Day begins on the Buttlands with children's entertainment, including appearances by Justo James and Sasha Lee.

12.30pm-12.45pm - performance by Fakenham Academy of Dance

12.45-1.15pm The Arco Iris Samba Band

1.30pm - Arrival at The Buttlands of Wells Carnival Queen Carys Groom and her attendants

2pm - fancy dress competition judging and prize giving

3pm - Carnival parade of decorated floats leaves The Buttlands for tour of the town.

4pm -Performance by the Streetbeatz Dancers

4.45pm - Finals of the Junior Town Crier competition

7.30pm-11pm - live music with performances by Headspace and The Rolling Clones (Rolling Stones tribute band)..

PARADE ROUTE

3pm from The Buttlands, along Mill Road, into Park Road, into Theatre Road, along Glebe Road, along the quayside, up Standard Road, into Station Road at back at The Buttlands.

t The police have reminded the crowds that there must be NO water thrown during the parade and no use of hosepipes or buckets.