More schools than ever have signed up to take part in this year’s Devizes Carnival procession on Saturday, August 31.

Once again Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts (DOCA), which organises the carnival, has won Arts Council funding for workshops to show groups how to make costumes and props for their walking carnival entries.

Dave Buxton, who is standing down this year as DOCA’s artistic director, said: “The take-up increases year-on-year. This year we have eight local schools and the usual Guides, Brownies, Cubs and Scouts.

“The enthusiasm shown by the groups is overwhelming and I’m sure if we didn’t run these workshops the momentum is there for them to do it all themselves.”

The schools taking part are Dauntsey’s Aided Primary at West Lavington, Five Lanes at Potterne and Worton, Southbroom Junior and Infants, Wansdyke, The Trinity, Chirton, Nursteed and Woodborough.

Mr Buxton said: “They’ve all chosen their own themes and the tutors show them how to turn that into costume ideas.”

This year the Arts Council money has also made it possible to engage the help of dance tutor Alan Harding of Swindon-based Nascent Dance, who has six groups working with him, to choreograph their carnival routine.

The DOCA committee has attracted a range of marching bands and majorette troupes. These will include the London School of Samba, one of the country’s largest samba bands, as well as the Portsmouth Batala samba band, augmented by drummers from the Bristol Batala.

Through the good offices of former mayor Kelvin Nash, the Wessex marching band, of which he and his wife Pam are members, will be joining in.

There will be the usual number of motorised floats, including entries from charities such as Devizes PHAB and Devizes Contact a Family.

Mr Buxton said: “We have had some entries already, but they normally come in during August so there will, I am sure, be many more.

“All things change, but Devizes Carnival is still strong and the procession will be as good, if not better, than any in the past.”