Schools and community groups are starting to make their lanterns for Devizes Christmas Festival.

Last year saw the event pass the previous record of 700 lanterns and organisers estimate there could be 1,000 this year.

Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts (DOCA) organises the festival and new artistic director Jo Beal is confident there will be another impressive turnout for this year’s lantern parade.

She said: “We have nearly 20 schools taking part and for the first time it includes a senior school, Lavington School, who are using it as part of their arts curriculum. Schools are excited to be involved and love taking part. Some of them are well experienced now and are quite adventurous with their designs.

“That is one of the lovely things about the lantern parade, we don’t prescribe a theme and participants bring their own creativity to it.

“Some of them challenge themselves to do more adventurous things every year, which is good. It’s a lovely surprise on the day to see the lanterns.”

The artists who made the 30ft anglerfish last year and the giant unicorn the year before are working on another spectacular creation.

DOCA has organised more lantern-making workshops for the public. They are free and are at the Crown Centre, St John’s Street, Devizes, on Saturday, from 1pm to 5pm; on Wednesday, from 6pm to 8.30pm; and on Saturday November 23, from 1pm to 5pm. There is also one at Wiltshire Museum, Long Street, on Wednesday, November 27, 6pm to 8.30pm.

Ms Beal has taken over from Dave Buxton as artistic director but is no stranger to the festival as she has been working for DOCA for the past 18 months as outdoor arts manager.

She previously worked as arts development officer at Kennet District Council from 2000 to 2005.

DOCA is running a raffle with tickets on sale at the workshops. Prizes include a Christmas hamper and a trip on the Kennet and Avon Canal.

The festival is on November 29. Market stalls will be in the Market Place and the Corn Exchange from 10.30am, entertainment is from 5pm, the lantern parade is at 6pm and Santa will switch on the Christmas lights at 6.45pm.

For more information about the lantern making workshops, call 07880 239598.