A CARNIVAL is helping to start a week of celebrations in Dalston near Carlisle this weekend.

The Kingsway Carnival at 1pm is one of five events taking place in the village today, the start of the annual Dalston Festival week.

There is also a popular scarecrow trail, art exhibition, flower festival and cricket match scheduled to take place.

The scarecrow trail, flower festival and art exhibition continue tomorrow, when there will also be a gala day from 1pm, and family treasure hunt at 3pm.

Dalston will welcome an influx of visitors over the course of the festival which will come to a climax next weekend.

Dalston Show is next Saturday and a thanksgiving service will take place in St Michael's Church the following morning.

Other events taking place over the next week include a Royal British Legion exhibition in the chapel from Monday until Wednesday.

There will be a 10km trail run on Wednesday before the Backworth Colliery Band performs on Thursday evening in the church.

Visitors to Dalston today will get the chance to step back in time whilst they explore the village and spot the new 'residents' who appear in its popular scarecrow trail.

The theme for this year's scarecrow competition is childhood memories.

For those who have taken the time to create their own scarecrows, there are prizes available in a range of categories including 'most scarecrow like' and 'best use of recycled materials'.

Maps for the trail are available from The Co-op and Suziebou in the village, priced £1 each.

Another family-friendly event taking place over the course of the nine-day festival will be the Princess & Knights Bonanza. It will take place at the Recreation Centre next Friday.

Rainbow Jelly Productions will be hosting a morning of dressing up, soft play, stories and crafts for children aged five and under.

Other events taking place during the week-long festival include 'Cocktails and Cakes' events in the Blue Bell pub and a 10km trail run, on Wednesday.

St Michael's Church in The Square will host a concert by the Backworth Colliery Band the following evening.

Dalston's library service is to relocate temporarily during the course of the festival. It will be in Church House, The Square until August 11. Its normal opening times will be retained throughout.

The church will also host a thanksgiving service, which will close the festival on August 12.