CHIPPENHAM Carnival will be resurrected this summer for the first time in 16 years after new organisers hope to bring the town back to life with an explosion of colourful entertainment.

Chippenham Connected, together with Chippenham Town Council, will bring the much-loved event back to the Island in Monkton Park from 12-8pm on Saturday, August 12 and a traditional walking procession will be one of the focal points.

Simon Philpott, BID manager, said: "It has been a long time now since Chippenham last had a carnival and it is hoped that this effort to revive what can be a wonderful community event will lead to many more annual carnivals in the future.

"We wanted to create a festival atmosphere in the town and we decided to resurrect the carnival after we received so many positive response on social media to the initial suggestion.

"This is a chance for the whole town to come together and celebrate the diversity of talent and skills within the local area through one of the many free events we are planning in 2017.

"If our Soapbox Derby is anything to go by, we are expecting this will be a big event for the town. We don't do things by halves and the procession is only part of the fun!"

Anyone interested in take part in the parade or performing on the main stage should apply via www.chippenhamcarnival.co.uk.