The red carpet has been rolled out early for a sneak peak at the glitz and glamour in store at this year's costume and textile fair.

The red carpet has been rolled out early for a sneak peak at the glitz and glamour in store at this year's costume and textile fair.

The theme for 2007 is 'fabulous threads' and more than 30 stunning ball gowns from across the ages will be among the displays at the event, to be held at Wolterton Hall in September.

Amidst the grandeur of the Hall's state rooms, four models from Sheringham based costume company The Community Wardrobe staged classic poses to show just how stunning the gowns can look.

The Community Wardrobe will be supplying dresses along with those from the costume and textile collection based at Carrow House in Norwich.

The collection is the third finest in the country but sadly the costumes are not on public display due to lack of facilities so the event offers are rare opportunity for the public to see them. The Norfolk Costume and Textile Association, which is organising the event, hopes money raised by the weekend will go towards finding a permanent place to display the collection.

Award winning costume designer Diana Thurley, who won a Bafta for her work on the 1978 TV series Edward and Mrs Simpson, is helping organise the event, which drew more than 2,500 visitors last year.

She said: “This year we are hoping to reach a larger and younger audience.

“The people who tend to come are people who work with textiles but as subject is no longer studied in school we are hoping youngsters will come along and see what is happening”

The ball gowns will be on display throughout the weekend and models will be walking around in a number of designs.

There will also be a range of talks, craft activities and demonstrations and the Sprowston Tapestries, which depict the history of Sprowston, will also be on show.

The fair in on September 15 and 16 and doors open at 10.30am. Sunday will also featuring an organic garden event in the grounds.

For more information call 01263 584175/ 768444 or e-mail laurelwalpole@manningtongardens.co.uk