Organisers of Swaffham arnival are determined to answer critics of major changes taking place in 2005 by arranging a varied programme designed to attract more people.

Organisers of Swaffham arnival are determined to answer critics of major changes taking place in 2005 by arranging a varied programme designed to attract more people.

They believe switching the final day's arena events to the rugby club from Haspall's Road recreation ground will be a great success. The move from the public play area was prompted by complaints about a lack of facilities, including toilets and running water for stallholders.

But it has been the location for the huge finale of the eight-day carnival for as long as anyone can remember and the move to the other end of town has been greeted with protests from town councillors.

A soccer competition is to be staged at the Pedlars football club, with the final at the rugby club on the main carnival day, July 17.

The fashion show at The George Hotel is being revived and a carnival king and prince will be chosen for the first time alongside the carnival queen and princess.

Main crowd-puller on the final day will be a display by the Medieval Combat Society plus a second-world- war re-enactment group, toy-soldier marching band and Chinese lion dance – 2005 is the Year of the Lion.

Mr Southerton is hoping to book the Ivy League for a night and about 30 other events have been planned.

Mr Southerton said: "There is a lot going on in the next year, with the town enhancement scheme. We wanted to avoid any disruption this might cause. We are also spreading carnival events around the town . . . We also want to involve people from the many different cultures now in the town, including the Portuguese, Chinese, Lithuanian and Russian communities."

Charities to benefit will be the Olive Tree Project, which cares for victims of domestic violence, and St John Ambulance.