THE organisers of Worcester Carnival have already begun preparations for next year's event, with the date and theme already set.

Despite disappointing weather this year's event was a big success as it was reported there were three times as many people flocking to Pitchcroft and lining the city streets for the parade as in 2018.

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The revamped carnival was first launched four years ago, and after the success of the July event organisers have announced that next year's theme will be Countries of the World - chosen as 2020 is an Olympic year with the games being held in Tokyo, Japan.

Worcester Carnival is again set to take place on a Saturday, with the date set as July 4.

Carnival chairman, Phil Weston, said: "Next year the carnival takes place on the July 4.

"We want to encourage more schools and youth groups to get involved this year taking part as a walking group, on a float or sending in entries to the competition we run.

"We also want to encourage more local businesses to get involved by actually taking part or sponsoring the event. This is an event for the whole community and we want everyone to be part of it."

The year's theme was the World of Books, with a special school's competition to Design a Book Cover arranged. Children were encouraged to get creative, using any medium they liked, with entries including in paint, collage and digital form.

Emma Cooling, aged 10 from Nunnery Wood Primary School, was recently announced as the winner of the competition.

After this year's event organiser Angela Derbyshire added: "We wanted to bring the carnival back to the city of Worcester four years ago and we certainly have done that.

"This has been absolutely fantastic and we've had the best time ever."

The event's website can be found at worcester-carnival.co.uk or email info@worcester-carnival.co.uk.

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