THOUSANDS of people will take to the streets to celebrate an annual event that brings together a close-knit community. 

Plans for this year's Askam Carnival are going full-steam ahead as final preparations for Saturday's festivities come to fruition. 

Groups across the area will display their talents in a showstopping parade that journeys through the streets of the villages.

Carnival chairman, Stuart Wallace, is encouraging as many people as possible to involved in the celebrations. 

He said: "It's just a fun day - a nice, simple fun day. 

"What's special about Askam is the fact it's still small. It's still just a village carnival. 

"A lot of carnivals now just get bigger and bigger and bigger but Askam is still just a village carnival."

The day begins with a traditional parade that starts out from Parklands Drive at 12.30pm before making its way up to Duddon Sports Club where the carnival's celebrated dance displays take place. 

Crowds will gather to watch as this year's queen, Teoni Grierson, and princesses, Darcy Porter and Evie Fagan, take their crowns. 

Visitors are warned that streets will be shut off but parking will be available at Duddon Sports Club with an overflow into the football pitch. 

The carnival is a valuable part of the villages' history that was welcomed back around 10 years ago after a brief break. 

Many people look forward to the date and are delighted to celebrate it again this year.

Councillor Sandra Hadwick, of Askam and Ireleth Parish Council, is a huge fan of the carnival. 

She said: "I go every year because I like the atmosphere and everything about it - the things on the field, the dancing, the marquees and things. 

"It's a big part of the village and it fetches all the villages together and everyone decorates the streets.

"It would be such a shame if it was lost again."

Councillor Harry Barker, chairman of the parish council, said: "It's important. 

"It's a great thing for the village and it gets everyone together and it's just a nice family day out. 

"It gives people something to do and it just puts the place on the map for one day a year."

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