THIS weekend is the return of the annual Kirkbride Carnival.

The day will kick off at noon on Saturday, outside The Bush Inn, Kirkbride with the crowning of the new Queen taking place at 12.15pm before the procession starts at 12.30pm. From 1pm there will be children's party games in a marquee and food will be served in The Bush Inn from 5pm to 9pm with a singer on from 8.30pm.

Kerriann Stamper, organiser, said: “The day is a fun-filled day that brings the whole community together. We’re a very close caring village that does a lot of activities which include all ages.

“To see everyone dressed up and gathered outside the village pub waiting for the new Queen to be crowned is a marvellous sight.

“The imagination and effort that people go to each year is outstanding and becomes a harder job each year to judge.

“The afternoon has stayed the same for over 40 years with a traditional sports day of different races on the school’s playing field.

“The highlight of the day ends with families, young and old taking part in the tug of war and egg-throwing competition.”

An announcement on Facebook on Thursday from the committee noted some changes to the times, posting: "The committee have been watching the weather forecast closely, unfortunately it is looking terrible from Friday afternoon through to Sunday.

"We've decided to postpone the sports in the afternoon on the school field until July 14, but we are still doing the carnival procession."