FOR only the second time in its history, Andover will be awash with celebration for the entire weekend as the Andover Festival takes place.

The festival is set to attract people from the town and further afield for two days of good old-fashioned fun.

Tomorrow will bring what promises to be a bigger and better carnival with more floats and more walkers collecting for the numerous local causes supported by Andover Lions.

Harry Potter, Frodo Baggins and other popular literary characters will be appearing in the carnival procession with the theme of Books: Fact and Fiction.

Carnival-goers lining the route can watch the procession travel from East Portway at 6pm, down Weyhill Road through the centre of town via Bridge Street and up London Road, ending near the Walworth Sports Ground and the festival funfair at around 8pm.

Safety is being treated as a priority with Andover Lions Club banning coin throwing during the carnival.

"Following last year's successful initiative, a small army of volunteers with buckets will accompany the procession collecting donations," said club spokesman Ian Horsfield.

A fun-filled evening at the sports ground is guaranteed when revellers can choose from funfair rides or a boogie in the marquee accompanied by Enham musicians The Drum Runners and friends.

John Wall and Funfairs are promising six white knuckle rides on the evening including a topspin ride, orbiter, music trip, the waltzer and the dodgems.

Sunday's Andover Show begins at 10am on the Walworth Sports Ground and will be opened by Test Valley mayor Neville Whiteley at 10.15am.

Spectators can watch a variety of displays while It's A Knock Out is set to be side-splitting fun when Andover businesses and organisations compete.

Don't miss out on the Andover Advertiser's stall where reporters Sarah Pettitt and Joanna Davis will be meeting readers and asking them to take part in their special headline competition between 11am and 3pm.