A COLOURFUL procession of umbrellas will follow the water festival parade through the streets of Upton for the first time ever this summer.

Organisers are introducing a competition to find the best designed decorative umbrellas as part of the parade, which will have a "carnival" theme and will feature floats and bands.

Those wishing to enter the competition should bring their umbrellas to Minge Lane, where the parade starts, at 2.30pm on the Saturday. Gift vouchers will be given to the winners.

The festival, which takes place over the August bank holiday weekend, will include an illuminated boat parade for the first time in three years.

Sue Walker, chairman of the tourism and trade association's events committee, said the parade, which will take place at 9.15pm, was being resurrected after boaters expressed enthusiasm for it.

The festival will feature a dog show on the sports field on the Monday morning. Entry forms are available from the Stocks veterinary centre, and Mrs Walker said categories would include best trick and waggiest tail.

"It's a fun show, so every dog can come, from mongrel to thoroughbred," she said.

Application forms must be filled out prior to the event, and will be available from the festival caravan at Waterside on the Saturday.