THOUSANDS of people are expected to turn out to watch the ROK Taunton Carnival on Saturday.

Below is an insight into what to look out for on one of the biggest days in the town's calendar.

PROCESSION LED by first-time visitors the Gloucester Scout Band, more than 80 items will light up Taunton town centre on Saturday night for the 42nd Annual Illuminated Procession.

It leaves Priory Bridge Road car park at 7pm, following the traditional route along Station Road, Bridge Street, North Street, Fore Street, East Street, East Reach, Chritchard Way and Priory Avenue before returning to the car park.

Glittering floats, large and small, and dozens of walking entries will compete in several classes for trophies, South Somerset Federation points and prize money.

Feature, tableau and comic floats with themes from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang to Egyptian Pharoahs covered in thousands of light bulbs will be mixed with walkers in fantastic costumes depicting mythical dragons, pirates, and Flanders poppies.

Since restarting in 1966, the Carnival Committee has raised tens of thousands of pounds for local charities.

The organisers couldn't put on such a show without help from the town's business community.

Every year costs for health and safety and traffic management arrangements eat into funds.

Carnival Committee Chairman John Lewis said: "The minimum we want to be able to do every year is give to charity everything we collect on Carnival Day.

"That's not possible unless we've met all our expenses in other ways.

"We've had major sponsorship, in cash and in kind, from many companies over the last 40 years and are grateful to them.

"It's a local event and we've always tried to have ties with local companies.

"Last year ROK came on board and we're happy to have The nation's local builder' behind us.

"They'll be out on Carnival morning as well as taking part in the procession itself, pulling the Carnival Queen's float."

DURING THE DAY Around the Market House on Carnival morning will be displays of historic vehicles and Harley Davidson motorcycles.

Carnival sponsors ROK will help with a tower building competition using recycled mushroom crates.

Anyone can compete to set the fastest time for fixing the pinnacle.

Cuckoo the Clown will entertain all ages, while over lunchtime local folk band Lucy Lastic Carnival will perform outside the Market House.

Participants in the Childrens' Carnival will gather at Belvedere Road car park to be judged by the Mayor, Miss Taunton and the Carnival Princess.

The procession sets off at 2.30pm, through the town to Hammet Street, where The Mayor will present the prizes.

ROAD CLOSURES Roads around the town centre will be closed at 6.30pm.

Diversions will be in place - from the east along Bridgwater Road, Ilminster Road and Chestnut Drive; and from the west using Park Street, Cann Street, Mary Street, South Road and Chestnut Drive or Silk Mills Road, Greenway Road and Priorswood Road.

No cars can get out of the Belvedere Road area during the procession.

Traffic from the Wood Street area can get into Staplegrove Road through French Weir Recreation Ground.

SAFETY The Carnival Committee works with the emergency services on Carnival night to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Crowd marshals will be along the two-mile route, with six St John Ambulance crews from across Somerset and police officers.

Fire engines and an ambulance will follow the first band.

Everything is supervised from a joint control room at Taunton Police Station with radio links to all services.

CHARITIES The proceeds from the Carnival will be shared between the Children's Hospital South West, the Conquest Centre for Disabled Riders and MIND.

There will be lots of official collectors keen to take spectators' loose change, so help make this year's collection a big one - organisers don't mind how long it takes to count.

QUEEN & PRINCESS Leading the procession will be Miss Taunton, Naomi Spiller, the Carnival Queen and Chloe Rust, the Carnival Princess.

Both won their titles last month in competitions supported by the County Gazette.

Alongside Chloe will be competition finalists Candice Bade, Lily Berryman and Laura Lippiatt.

THANKS Chairman John Lewis said: "It takes more than just the committee to stage the Carnival.

"Planning for next year starts the day after this year's procession.

"We have really good working relationships with the police, Taunton Deane Council and County Highways - without their support and goodwill we wouldn't even get to the starting line.

"On Saturday there will be dozens of volunteers working hard to make sure it all goes off without a hitch.

"I'd like to thank them all for their efforts, and our sponsors and business supporters round the town.

"We just need two things on the night to make it all worthwhile - dry weather and a huge collection."

For any other information on the day's events, or if you want to help in any way, contact the Secretary, Iris Williams, on 01823-275241, e-mail afi.williams@tesco.net or John Lewis on 01823-283892 e-mail jsilewis@btinternet.com For a full list of entries see this Thursday's Somerset County Gazette.