HUNDREDS of people are due to hit the streets of Horwich at the weekend as the carnival comes to town.

The annual community event at Old Station Park begins tomorrow and organisers are hoping it will be the biggest yet.

As well as the dog show and various musical performances, the main attraction will be the parade at noon on Sunday.

Andrea Allott, vice chairman of the Horwich Carnival committee, said: "I think it's going to be a good weekend. It is going to be the biggest parade we have had.

"The carnival has dwindled but now we have a lot of community groups getting involved.

"Organising it has become easier because we have the contacts now but unfortunately the chairman has been really ill so I've basically been doing it myself.

"But I do not want it to not happen. it has been a tradition in Horwich for many, many years. Even since I was a child."

Community groups getting involved in the two-day event include Horwich Morris and Rivington and Adlington Brass Band.

The event will kick off tomorrow morning with the baby show at 10.30am and will finish on the Sunday with music from Wigan folk bank Chonkinfeckle.

There is also due to be a celebrity appearance in the form of actor Jacob Roberts who plays Damon Kinsella in Hollyoaks.

Ms Allot said: "I think it's going to be a nice and lovely weekend just to get into the community spirit and hopefully we can build the carnival back up.

Ms Allott said the event was all about getting people involved and promoting community spirit, but said the main factor was raising money for the chosen charity Bolton Neonatal Unit.

She said: "It is a cause close to home for myself as I have lost three children at Bolton Hospital.

"We should make a lot of money and hopefully it will help to give babies a better start in life."

Cllr Peter Wright, the town mayor of Horwich, said: "I am looking forward to it as town mayor. Both the mayoress and I will be going along and we are excited to see it.

"After the success of the Horwich Festival of Racing, I'm sure it will be a great event and it will help to put Horwich in the spotlight."

TIMETABLE

Saturday

Baby show - register 9.30 for 10.30 start

Daywear comp - register 11.30 for 12.30 start

Dog show - 12 noon

Royalty crowning 12 noon

Chonkinfeckle - on and off 12.30 - 4

2017 voice of Horwich winner Abi Kelly 2pm

Other singers TBA

Sunday

Parade 12 noon

Horwich Morris men (temp car park) - 1/1.30

Rivington and Adlington brass band - 1.30

Footy match on astroturf - 1.30

Girls on Arena - 1.50

Trophy presentation - 2.10

Celeb signing - 2.20 (pictures available to purchase on the day)

Essa samba band - 2.20

Body in motion dance school - 2.30

Chonkinfeckle - 2.40