AN event which is believed to be unique to Devizes is set to become even bigger on August 31.

The Confetti Battle is moving from its traditional Wednesday to a Saturday to take up the date vacated during carnival fortnight by the move from the procession to July.

Organisers hope that the weekend date will mean even more people will turn out to throw paper confetti at each other after a cannon sounds the start of the battle at 8pm.

Loz Samuels artistic director of Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts said: “As far as we know Devizes is the only town that has a Confetti Battle tradition.

“No one can remember the first official battle but we know its roots date back to the old Devizes Carnival in 1913, where confetti and rose petals were thrown by the crowd at people in the procession.

“The tradition evolved into a fully-fledged battle around 1955 when it was started by Jim Jennings.

“This year the Confetti Battle will be on a Saturday, we hope more people will be able to attend, why not consider getting involved with the Colour Rush before the event – what better way to arrive at a Confetti Battle than covered in multi-coloured powder.”

She is quick to point out that there is no actual battle but just a half hour of silly fun.

In past years more than 3,500 people have turned out to enjoy the spectacle.

The Colour Rush has moved with the Confetti Battle to Saturday and will start from Green Lane Playing fields at 6.30pm so that runners can arrive in plenty of time to throw confetti.

Entertainment in the Market Place starts at 7.30pm.

Jennings fairground will be in the Market Place on both Saturday and Sunday open between 5.30pm and 11pm.

Stands will be selling tokens earlier in the day in a bid to cut queues for buying confetti. Go to https://www.docadevizes.org.uk/confetti-battle/