ONE of the biggest carnivals Stourport has ever seen is in store for townsfolk and tourists alike this year.

The Jubilee bash will boast a packed land parade and two spectacular water-borne equivalents, which organisers claim are the biggest processions of decorated boats in the country.

Carnival committee member Pete Roberts said entries for all three parades were well up on last year.

"It's looking good. It's going to be absolutely massive and should be one of the best ever," he said. "An old 30ft by 70ft barge built in 1930 is coming up from the Gloucester museum for both river parades.

"And a proper old-fashioned steam engine will lead the land parade, which will also have about four or five vintage tractors."

More than 20,000 people are expected to descend on the town centre to join in the festivities on Saturday, September 7.

The land parade, with 30 floats, kicks off in Areley Kings at 12.30pm and will wind through the streets before finishing in the Riverside Meadows, where the afternoon's entertainment will be based.

The parade will take in Bridge Street, High Street, Lombard Street, Gilgal, Lion Hill, York Street and New Street.

At the riverside Abba tribute band Mamma Mia will pump out the group's hits from the 70s - when the nation celebrated the Queen's Silver Jubilee - and medieval battles will be recreated by Knights of the Crusade to add to the royal flavour.

Carnival-goers will be able to take part in jousting competitions and can test their strength by trying to remove Excalibur's sword from a rock.

Other highlights include live music from Wyre Forest blues outfit Blind Lemon, Lickhill Middle School steel band and Stourport High School orchestra.

Mayor Don Giles and his counterpart from Stourport's French twin town Villeneuve-le-Roi will crown carnival queen Sammy-Jo Hall at 2.45pm.

The first river parade starts at 4pm and the illuminated evening version gets underway at 8.30pm. Fireworks will signal the finale at 9.30pm.

Money raised on the day from street collections will be given go to a variety of Stourport charities.

"It is raised from local people and we like to see it goes back to local people," said Mr Roberts.

"It really looks like it's going to be a bumper carnival."