THE most colourful event in Maldon’s calendar returns next week as the town’s annual carnival will roll out in force.

The annual summer carnival has been a fixture in the town for over a century, and is one of the biggest in the whole of Essex.

It is held each year on the first Saturday of August, this year being August 6, and has a week’s worth of events to get involved with leading up to the big procession.

On Monday August 1, a children’s fun bingo will be held at the Lower Plume School in the afternoon and an adult cash bingo in the evening, as well as a singles darts competition in Mundon.

On Tuesday, an afternoon of magic and games for children takes place at Plume with a family fun quiz in the evening and a baby show on Wednesday.

On Thursday, a petting zoo and a car treasure hunt will take place, open to families of all ages in the afternoon and evening.

On Friday, the day before the procession, there is a full afternoon of arts and crafts at the school for children of all ages.

On Saturday, the procession begins on Fambridge Road before proceeding through Maldon High Street and then finishing at the Promenade Park, where more entertainment awaits visitors.

A selection dance is held each year to select the Carnival Queen and Princesses (Court). The court is crowned on the Sunday before Carnival day. This year's crowning will take place on Sunday at 3pm in Promenade Park.

Thousands of spectators gather from Maldon and surrounding areas to watch the procession of various floats and entertainment, including majorettes and marching bands.

Support from local businesses and residents enables this wonderful tradition to return each year.

One of main objectives of the carnival is to provide a procession that is fun, exciting and enjoyable for everyone. An unbelievable amount of work from a team of volunteers goes into organizing the Carnival each year, and nothing makes them happier than to seeing smiling faces on the streets of Maldon.

The procession starts at 2.15pm and ends at approximately at 3.30pm and is free. For full details of the whole week of events, visit www.maldoncarnival.co.uk.