WOOTTON Bassett's carnival parade has been saved after an appeal for volunteer marshals in the Evening Advertiser.

The Grand Procession on Saturday, May 17, was under threat because only four people had volunteered to be stewards when 10 were needed.

Now another 16 people have stepped forward to save the event from folding bringing the total number of marshals to 20.

The town's Conservative Association has recruited 10 volunteers and a further six came forward after reading of the shortage in the Evening Advert-iser.

Eileen Lambourne is the events co-ordinator on the carnival committee.

She said: "It is absolutely magic. I am really pleased. The procession will definitely go ahead now.

"We were very anxious because so much hard work has gone into it and we are pleased with the support."

North Wiltshire district councillor Chris Wannell (Con) is a founder member of the carnival committee.

He said: "As soon as we read about it in the paper we thought there would be a hole in the roof.We went absolutely mad and we just thought 'we are not going to let that happen'.

"I know the police are stretched but it is only an annual event

"I will never let the carnival die as long as I have breath in my body.

"It will go ahead whether it is by hook or by crook.

"It has been going on for years and it brings people out of their houses to mix together. It is a great community event."

This year's event will be the 32nd Wootton Bassett carnival and the parade is the highlight of a 10-day programme of events.

The carnival has followed the same format through the years, starting with a fete and ending in a parade, with a host of activities to fill the intervening days.

It all begins tomorrow with a fete at Noremarsh School. It will be opened by North Wiltshire MP James Gray.

Attractions will include Martha the Wootton Bassett Fire Engine, the Evening Advertiser vintage bus, birds of prey, Wootton Bassett Brass Band, a funfair, a children's fancy dress competition and a variety of stalls.