THIS year's Monmouth Carnival is set to be one of the biggest ever, say committee members.

With a procession of vintage cars and motorbikes as well as floats, walking participants, modified cars and a motorbike display team, the event on July 31 really is aiming high this year.

In previous years the carnival, which is now part of the nine day Monmouth Festival, organisers have been accused of allowing the carnival to become stale and outdated – and it even faced its demise this year.

But in response to these comments the committee say it has been rigorously updated to appeal to a much wider range of ages and interests.

The carnival includes a new spectacular chariot race this year on the town's Chippenham Fields. It has already attracted many contestants, though more entries are still required.

Committee member Steph Jenkins said: "This carnival is set to be the biggest, the most exciting and the most diverse in recent years.

"However, if we want to succeed in giving Monmouth the celebration it deserves, we need the public's support in the carnival to increase."

Samuel Perry said: "We are still encouraging locally based donations. Without sufficient funds neither the festival nor the carnival can reach its potential. In these grim financial times, we want to Monmouth to be a beacon of prosperity to the rest of the country."