Roadworks force carnival route change

The carnival is Northamptonshire's biggest street event

Roadworks have forced the route of a traditional carnival parade route to be changed.

The procession in Northampton has been changed to avoid Abington Street, one of the town's main shopping thoroughfares.

The carnival's theme this year is "a festival for all cultures".

One of the organisers said the event was a way of "showcasing the gifts we have within the community".

Morcea Walker, one of the organisers, said the new route had been planned to ensure the parade did not cause chaos

The colourful carnival parade has become an annual highlight for the many people who line the route.

Some of them will have to find a different vantage point as improvement work is under way in Abington Street in the town centre.

The street is being fitted with new paving and seating, additional trees and planting to enhance the landscaping.

To avoid Abington Street, the parade will travel past the front of All Saints Church, then down the Drapery, to Lady's Lane heading back to Wellingborough Road.

Morcea Walker, who chairs the Northampton Carnival Arts Consortium, said: "Obviously there's impact as soon as we change a route.

"They're looking at making sure we don't cause chaos in the town centre, but also to make sure that people can get around."

She added that some people in places like Barrack Road and the Mounts should get a good view of the floats this year.

The parade will contain about 30 floats

Despite the route change, Ms Walker was confident that the carnival, with its theme of being a festival for all cultures, would be a success.

She said: "Northamptonshire - Northampton particularly - is a very mixed community.

"We've got Ukraine being represented and the Nigerians for the very first time.

"Schools have gone out of the way to make sure they have a good mix of cultures on their floats."

She added that the procession was different every year.

"I'm trying not to find out what people are doing because I like the surprise of the parade," she said.

A huge variety of costumes will be on show in the parade

The event starts at 12:00 BST on Saturday on the Racecourse in Kettering Road, with the parade setting off from the park at 14:00 BST