THE organisers of Lowestoft Carnival have issued a rallying call – urging people to help them make it a bumper parade.

With the event now just 10 weeks away, the carnival committee met this week to put the finishing touches to preparations for what its members hope will be a memorable day.

But in an effort to ensure the traditional street procession is 'one of the best ever', they are appealing for more entries from local businesses and organisations.

The Friends of Lowestoft Hospital have been organising the carnival parade for more than 40 years and this year's takes place on Sunday, September 23 with its optional theme of 'the Diamond Jubilee or the Olympics'.

More than 70 entry forms were sent out to potential carnival entrants, and although a steady stream of applications have been received, organisers are urging people to return their forms as soon as possible.

The parade will start an hour earlier than usual at 2pm and this will allow time for some of the entrants, particularly the dance schools and majorettes, to give an extra performance in the town centre at the end of the procession.

The sounds of marching bands – including the Suffolk Samba Band – will help to create the lively party mood in the parade as it travels along its regular route from Kirkley Park Road through the town to Katwijk Way.

Carnival committee chairman Pat Rayner said: 'The procession line-up is looking good with several walking entries received and others coming in from clubs with decorated floats, vintage vehicles, dancing troupes and majorette groups.

'But we still need a few more entries to make the parade something our late president Gwen Baker would have been proud of.'

Mrs Rayner added: 'We are thrilled that the Gwen Baker Trust is backing the parade and we appreciate all the additional support that has been forthcoming to make this year's parade possible – after it had at one point seemed that it would not happen at all.'

As part of the build-up to the parade, a fun day is being held on Sunday, August 12 on Royal Green from 11am to 4pm with vehicles from the Lowestoft Classic Car Club on show.

There will also be a mascot race, a fancy dress competition, children's sports and arena events, and a variety of charity and craft stalls.

? Anyone willing to help out with any aspect of the carnival weekend should contact Pat Rayner on 01502 563847. Entry forms can also be found online at www.onesuffolk.co.uk/LowestoftCarnival and on the Lowestoft Carnival Facebook page.