WELLINGTON carnival is set to return to the town this weekend.

The colourful procession will kick off at 7.30pm from Rockwell Green on Saturday, September 29 and will take around two hours to go through the town, reaching the town centre at around 8.10pm.

The event kicks off carnival season for the South Somerset Federation, which will see processions in Ilminster, Chard and Taunton in the coming weeks.

Dave Rylatt, chairman of the carnival committee, said: "Final preparations are underway for Wellington Carnival which takes place on 29th September, and thanks to the efforts of head of procession Steve Cook, entries have now exceeded the 70 mark.

"Clubs who enter into carnival are very secretive; they prefer their theme to be a surprise. This makes Wellington Carnival very special as their year’s hard work will be on display for the first time of a long season."

A host of local Wellington businesses have entered, as well as schools and Wellington Majorettes.

Mr Rylatt added: "Wellington Carnival is a not for profit organisation and after running costs are deducted, all surplus money is donated to local groups and charities. There will be a variety of collection vehicles in the procession, as well as many collectors.

"Please make a donation to the collectors, every penny we collect helps us keep this unique Somerset phenomenon continuing in Wellington.

"Our last two carnivals have been blighted by inclement weather, but we are expecting a dry and fairly warm night this year."

Carnival toys will once again be on sell as part of the South Somerset federation's clamp down on pedlars.

The official sellers will be place in gazebos on the route and a City Plumbing van will be in the procession.

Mr Rylatt added: "

This year carnival watchers can download a new app to vote for their favourite entries.

The CarniApp can be found in the Apple Store or Google Play Store for free. Voting will begin at 7.30pm on Saturday and will close on October 3.

Mr Rylatt added: "Thank you to the few but dedicated committee members who work so hard throughout the year to plan the event, and help with other carnivals, all of them give up so much of their free time; without their support, we could not put the event on."

PARKING AND ROAD INFORMATION:

• Exeter Road will be closed to traffic from 2pm until 9.30pm to enable the procession to be assembled. There will be a small diversion in place along the relief road and through Bagley Road. Local residents in Pitt Farm, and local farmers will be allowed access until the procession moves off. We will not be able allow traffic to access the funfair; you will need to find alternative ways of reaching the attraction

• A rolling shut down of the main route will be put into place from 1815hrs onwards, starting at Rockwell Green, and progressing to the end of the road closure at Cades Farm.

• No waiting cones will be placed along the route, and come into force at 5pm. Due to the high level of residents ignoring the requirement to keep the route clear, there is a likelihood of enforcement coming into play this year, especially around Mantle Street. Please remove your vehicles; it is only for a few hours once a year, and the last thing we want is for our residents to receive parking fines or have their vehicles towed away.

• Carnival marshals will allow access/egress for residents of the Longforth Estate until the procession reaches the town centre at approximately 8.15pm. Access/egress during these times will only be possible via the Taunton end of town.

• Car parks are likely to be full or overflowing, so we encourage spectators to arrive by foot if at all possible.