ORGANISERS are gearing up for Andover's first-ever festival weekend.

It brings together the Andover Show and the Andover Carnival in an action-packed weekend of fun at the Walworth Sports Ground from tonight.

Highlights include the carnival procession, It's A Knockout, and a fireworks spectacular.

The future of the carnival had been uncertain after previous organisers Andover Round Table suffered financial and organisational difficulties which saw the 2000 event cancelled and forced them to withdraw their support this year.

But six members of the old carnival committee got together with Andover and District Lions, who are fronting the event.

Organisers have received record numbers of entries to the carnival and applications for stalls at the show this year.

The weekend of fun kicks off tonight at 6pm when Walls Fun Fair will be offering a special festival discount of 50p off the cost of all rides.

Tomorrow the town makes way for the carnival procession, which starts at 6pm at East Portway and has a 'festivals of the world' theme.

It travels down Weyhill Road (pedestrian entries start at Beech Hurst), into Western Road, Bridge Street, Winchester Street, Eastern Avenue, London Street, London Road (pedestrian entries finish at Winton) and Walworth Road before finishing in North Way at around 8pm.

Spectators are being asked to put donations into buckets and not throw coins at the floats.

There is a free fireworks spectacular at Walworth after dark.

The It's A Knockout Challenge, one of the new features of Sunday's show, includes the sticky ball game, the doughnut delivery game, the catepillar race, the slide of doom, animal quackers, Michelin man and it's raining cats and dogs.

There will also be demonstrations from majorettes, Irish dancers, Taekwondo and musical entertainment as well as trade stands and a craft tent.

Professor Crump will be on hand to entertain the crowds, as well as Punch and Judy and Trigger Train.

Entries are now closed to corporate teams, but any individuals wanting to take part should go along to the official briefing at 10am on the day.

Entry to the show is £3 for adults, £1.50 for children aged between five and 16 and free for children under five.

The Andover Advertiser roadshow will be at the show on Sunday offering visitors the chance to win £50 in the guess the year competition and there are lots of games and prizes to give away.

Andover's drug and alcohol advisory service, The Dale Trust will also be at the show with advice and fundraising events for their voluntary service. A local butcher and baker will be supporting the trust by providing a hog roast and volunteers have arranged a tombola.

This year's Andover Festival prince and princess are Daniel Knowles and Rebecca Bridle.

A free bus service will operate to and from the festival show ground and around Andover on Saturday and Sunday, courtesy of Hampshire Bus.

For information call 01256 354644 or drop in to the travel office in Andover Bus Station.