MORE than 50 floats will parade through Warminster town centre tomorrow as carnival week reaches a colourful climax.

The annual event, which is part of the Wessex Grand Prix circuit, is set to be as keenly contested as ever with rival groups bidding to scoop the top prizes.

Last year crowds five or six deep lined the route in places and carnival committee chairman Sandra Major is hoping for more of the same tomorrow.

All the leading clubs have entered again and last year's overall joint winners Hot Rock and Aliens are among the favourites for the 2004 title.

Wilbur the Wiltshire Times alligator will be making an appearance as the crowds cast their votes in the various categories.

Mrs Major said: "We are keeping our fingers crossed for large crowds and good weather.

"The main charities we are collecting for this year are Warminster Riding for the Disabled and the Warminster Gateway Club.

"All profits made will go to them. We always try to keep the causes as local as possible so people know who they are supporting."

Last year's carnival raised more than £2,000 for Shopmobility and the Wessex MS Therapy Centre and Mrs Major is hopeful of matching that in 2004.

Many of this year's entrants have gone for the handcart approach, but fans can expect plenty of the larger musical floats as well.

Carnival week began in earnest on Monday with an open evening at Warminster fire station.

A bingo session on Wednesday and a quiz night on Thursday kept the ball rolling ahead of tomorrow's showcase event.

Proceedings get underway with the Lions change float at 6.30pm before majorettes take centre stage at 6.45pm.

The main procession gets going at 7pm and heads westwards through the town centre.

From Boreham Road it travels along East Street, Market Place, High Street, George Street, Silver Street, Vicarage Street and West Street before finishing in Grovelands Way.