The annual Lord Mayor's Celebration is now officially in full swing and the lord mayor of Norwich is calling on people to make the most of the weekend's fun events.

Alongside the host of entertainment around the city during the weekend, thousands are expected to fill the city's streets for the procession, which starts at 5pm tomorrow afternoon.

The lord mayor, Keith Driver, says he has been keeping a keen eye on the weather and is hoping the forecasted warm weather materialises.

He will lead a civic party as part of the fourth float in the procession, with the City of Norwich Pipe Band, town crier and historic Whiffler and Snap Dragons ahead of them.

They will lead a total of 67 floats in the procession, up on last year's total of 54, which had followed hot on the heels of the Olympic Torch Relay visiting the city.

'I'm really looking forward to the weekend,' said Mr Driver. 'I hope everyone comes out and enjoys themselves.

'The procession has got lots more floats this year than last year and we're even going to have the Norwich Samba Band following us at the front of the procession, playing some wonderful music.

'All the hotels will be full and the restaurants will do well so it should be a great time to bring all the family into the city.

'There will be music, a funfair, something for everyone, and then the fireworks display in the evening (from 10.30pm) that's quite a spectacular show as well, so I hope everyone gets out and enjoys it.'

Mr Driver chose domestic violence charity Leeway as his civic charity this year and the various floats in the procession will be collecting loose change from the watching crowds for the Norwich-based cause.

Last year the procession raised more than £3,600 for Future Projects.

Staff from Archant Norfolk, parent company of the Eastern Daily Press and Norwich Evening News, will be joining Leeway's float this year to help with its collections, placed as the 16th float in the procession line-up.