NO-ONE should be able to complain that there is nothing to do in Chippenham and Calne this weekend as both towns expect thousands of people to descend on the streets for two huge family events.

In Calne carnival fever will come to town on Saturday for an action packed day with lots of free activities culminating in the parade that leaves Bremhill View at 4.30pm.

Fun starts at 11am with human skittle zorbing at The Green and there will also be canoe taster sessions starting at 11am at Castlefields Park.

A surf simulator will be in New Market Place from 1-6pm and there will also be Punch and Judy and a bandstand on Beach Terrace at 1.30pm, 3.30pm and 5.15pm. There will be an armed forces parade between 2-2.30pm

In Chippenham up to 57 wacky racers from as far away as Dorset will take part in the town’s first soap box derby gets underway.

Thousands of people are expected to line the streets on Sunday from 11am  to watch the chaos organised by the Chippenham BID and Chippenham Town Council which promises plenty of action, thrills and spills.

Simon Philpott, manager of the Chippenham BID, said: “Out of all the fantastic events we are hosting this year I think this is my favourite because it brings together businesses, schools, the public, the whole community for something that is both fun and competitive.”

The races, which go from the bottom of the Market Place, will provide hilarious encounters and awe-inspiring moments as teams of four, on their custom built non-powered karts, speeds through the course all the way along the High Street until the finish line at The Bridge.

Anyone who misses the fun this Saturday can still get in party mood on August 12 when the carnival is set to resurrected for the first time in 16 years.

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

Mr Philpott 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.

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