Devizes Carnival organiser Jo Beale has just survived her first year in charge of the town’s iconic festival but she cannot rest on her laurels.

She must now focus on the lantern parade which accompanies the town’s Christmas light switch-on.

Miss Beale, 43, took over as artistic director of Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts (DOCA) from long time organiser Dave Buxton after last year’s event and knew his would be a hard act to follow.

She said: “So many people kept saying to me ‘they will be big shoes to fill’ so I did feel the pressure. I had sleepless nights in the run up to the Street Festival and carnival procession. I kept having nightmares that I hadn’t done something very important.”

But apart from wet weather for the Monday of the street fair she did not have to worry.

She said: “The feedback has been very positive which is lovely. I want to thank everyone who helped.”

But now she must find a large space so people can come together to make the giant lanterns that will be a key part of the parade on November 28.

She said: “We are still desperately looking for a space to make large scale lanterns for this year’s Christmas Festival – even temporary space. We just need a dry space, somewhere with large doors that we can access at all times of the day for at least the whole of November.”

In the past, DOCA has used warehouses on the Hopton Industrial Estate, Devizes, but these are no longer available.

She said: “The big lanterns are now something everyone looks forward to. We have groups who have become quite skilled in making them and this is a chance for them to develop their creations. They are really impressive for the crowd.”

She believes festival makers were important to the success of the carnival and is looking for volunteers to be Christmas Festival makers.

Anyone who can provide a lantern-making space or wants to volunteer should email info@ docadevizes.org.uk