A FANTASY forest complete with glittering trees and illuminated animals will light up the streets during a popular annual parade.

Organisers of Ulverston Lantern Festival are preparing for the event’s biggest turn-out in years, and are gearing up to host a fabulous themed spectacle.

The theme chosen for 2016 is ‘Into the Woods’ and the grand finale will feature fantastic creatures and characters.

The plan is to fuel the imagination of lantern-makers, who can make anything from real woodland animals, insects, birds or trees to fantasy creations from stories, books and films.

Jennie Dennett, who is part of the creative team making the lantern forest said: “There are so many good ideas for lanterns already flying around town, from trolls, goblins and faeries, to bears, birds, ants, along with Ents from ‘Lord of the Rings’, Groot from ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ and the Gruffalo. We even have one group working on a ‘King Kong’ theme, so it should be a fantastic procession, leading up to the park and the traditional firework finale.”

With the area’s schools making creations to build ‘River of Light’ and lantern-making kits for sale all over Ulverston, as many as 600 are expected to feature in this year’s event.

The festival’s organisers are therefore appealing for extra stewards to come forward and help direct the processions on September 17.

The event attracts thousands of spectators every year, with last year’s Out of the Toybox theme drawing in huge crowds and providing a stunning display.

Festival committee chairman, Chris Nelson said: “The more people take part in and attend the Lantern Festival, the more help we need on the night to ensure everything goes smoothly.

“This year, there will also be changes to the arrangements for the Ford Park finale, because one of the gateways has been closed for the new housing development. That means more stewards will be needed to ensure people enter and leave the park safely.”

Visit www.ulverstonlanternfestival.org for more information or call Mr Nelson on 07761 930627 to volunteer.

Lantern kits are on sale in Ulverston for £5 each at the Coronation Hall, Costa Coffee, Boogles and Bump, the Book Shack in the Market Hall, Appleseeds, the Laurel and Hardy Museum and the Swarthmoor Reading Rooms.

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