The theme for this year's procession during the Lord Mayor's Celebrations will be an Olympic one.

With the Olympics coming back to Britain in July and August for the first time in 64 years, Norwich will be able to get into the spirit of the Games early.

Entries are now being taken for individuals and organisations to enter their floats for the procession, which will be held from 5pm on Saturday, July 7.

Every year the carnival atmosphere of the procession parade through Norwich city centre is enjoyed by thousands of people lining the streets and raising money for the Lord Mayor's chosen charities.

Brenda Arthur, leader of Norwich City Council and cabinet member for culture, said today: 'The call is out for as many people as possible to be a part of this year's procession.

'Last year's event was fantastic and it would be lovely to see some of those participants involved again this year, as well as encouraging new organisations and groups to join in with the carnival spirit.'

Last year's event saw dancers, dinosaurs, a samba band, baton twirlers, pirates and Star Wars characters take to the streets on foot and aboard floats. Judges awarded first place, based on carnival spirit, to the UK Centre for Carnival Arts, with the Red Hat Society's Norfolk Broads Chapter taking second place and the Sewell Toy Library in third.

The procession will be just three days after Olympic Torch Relay visits Norwich, on Wednesday, July 4, when an evening celebration will also be held in Chapelfield Gardens.

The celebrations will then continue into the Lord Mayor's Celebration's weekend on Saturday, July 7 and Sunday, July 8.

For more information on the procession and how to enter, visit the events page at www.norwich.gov.uk, or call 01603 212136 to discuss any ideas or ask questions. The closing date for entries is Tuesday, June 12.

Don't forget to get your copy of the next London's Calling supplement in the Evening News on Tuesday, January 31, for all the latest local build up to the London 2012 Olympics.

Are you organising an event in Norwich? Contact reporter David Freezer on 01603 772418 or david.freezer@archant.co.uk