CARNIVAL season is up on us, and youngsters can enter now to take part in the Ilminster children’s event.

Next Saturday (September 28) will see the colourful costumes return to the town centre once again.

There are nine classes up for grabs, including for individual on-foot entries, pairs, and groups.

As always, there will also be a number of cups up for grabs two cups sponsored by the Chard and Ilminster News - one for originality, and the other for overall winner.

The ‘spirit of carnival’ will collect the Tony Goverd Cup, best individual costume will seal you the Barbara Lee Cup, and the Plato Cup goes to the most colourful entry.

The overall runner up will collect the Daido Cup, in memory of Shane Hooper, and the final prize is the Mayor’s Choice Cup.

Brad Amor, one of the event organisers, said: “We are currently accepting entries for this years procession.

“This years Ilminster Children’s Carnival will take place this year on Saturday, September 28.”

The procession will start at 1.45pm.

The parade will be starting at the Ile Youth Club, before heading into East Street, Silver Street, Strawberry Bank.

The carnival will then head up North Street, along East Street, and then it is set to finish back at the youth club.

Brad added: “The children’s carnival gives young people the opportunity to dress up and get involved with carnival in the lead up to the main procession.

“The Ilminster majorettes will be leading the procession again this year with a spectacular routine.

“The children’s carnival helps us to raise money to fund the main procession, there will be collectors walking the route of the carnival and we are very grateful for any donations to our collection.”

As well as the trophies on offer, entries who finish from first to forth in each of the nine classes will also secure themselves a small cash prize.