ORGANISERS of this year's Ledbury Carnival say they have ordered in good weather for August Bank Holiday Monday, for a celebration of "Heroes and Villains".

And carnival committee chairman, Hilary Jones says the heroes and villains theme has really caught the community's imagination this year, and could lead to a most memorable procession.

"She said: "We are due good weather, and we have some new entries for the big floats, so the parade will be good, with half a dozen lorries at least."

And this is not to forget the smaller vehicles, bands and walkers which makes the big parade so popular each year, no matter the weather.

Ms Jones said: "Each year, we hope the carnival will be the best ever.

"After all, it's a good free day out for the town, and people put a lot of effort into it."

But with the carnival always falling on the last Monday in August, as summer's last hurrah in Ledbury, the weather has not always been kind.

Ledbury carnivals blessed with good weather have regularly attracted more than 10,000 people to the town centre, making it the largest single day event on the town's calendar.

But the 2014 Carnival was a wash-out, with crowds down to around 5000, due to deluge conditions.

Last year, the carnival committee admitted that another wash-out, with greatly reduced crowds and donations could have raised a big question mark over future carnivals in Ledbury.

But the 2015 crowd was estimated at 8000 strong or more, and greater community support threw an essential life-line to the annual event.

The carnival costs over £8000 each year to stage, with the aim of breaking even, - helped by bucket collections which take place along the route of the carnival parade.

As usual, the parade will leave the rugby club on the Ross Road at noon, then head up New Street, High Street, The Homend and Orchard Lane, before ending up at Ledbury Primary, one hour or a little later.

This will be the 42nd Ledbury Town Carnival in the town centre.

Attractions on the High Street stage will include live music from the Frontrunners, Now or Never and the C-Quins, and Ledbury Brass Band.

On St Katherine's car park, attractions will include live music, Punch and Judy and magic shows.

The annual Ledbury Horticultural Flower Show will take place at Ledbury Community Hall, Lawnside Road, from noon.

The carnival programme can be viewed online, at

http://www.ledburycarnival.co.uk/carnival2016/programme16.pdf