ORGANISERS of the Accrington Carnival are hoping this year's event will be another roaring success.

Accrington Lions, who have organised the bi-annual event since 1989, said it is going to be the biggest and the best yet.

There will be 40 floats in tomorrow's procession, accompanied by marching bands, majorettes and cheerleaders.

Terry Barber, from the Lions, said: "It will be a great day and all the money raised is donated to local charities, so we really want people to support the event."

The special guest at the carnival will be Coronation Street star Julie Hesmondhalgh.

Julie, from Church, who plays Hayley Cropper, will be helping the Mayor of Hyndburn, Coun Janet Storey, to hand out the prizes for the best charity and commercial floats.

She will also be supporting her favourite charity, Accrington-based Maundy Relief, by signing autographs in a marquee at Peel Park School, in exchange for donations.

The procession will leave the Globe Centre led by Coun Storey, the president of the Lions, Andrew Flood, and the Carnival Queen and Princess, Samantha Taylor and Charlotte Dawson.

The procession will then make its way, via Whalley Road and Queens Road, to the carnival ground, arriving at around noon.

At the ground the entertainment will include Haurel and Lardy, a Laurel and Hardy tribute act, a water show, a mini-circus and a Punch and Judy Show.

There will be demonstrations by the police dogs, Lancashire Hawks and Owls, and stalls, rides, a fortune teller, and ponies.

Mr Barber said: "We have a fortune teller coming and she has told us the weather is going to be good, so now we just need everyone to come along."