FAVOURITE Disney characters will be joining in the fun at Felixstowe this weekend when the carnival cavalcade comes to "toon".For cartoon fun is the theme for the big day – the highlight of the resort's line-up of summertime events.

By Richard Cornwell

FAVOURITE Disney characters will be joining in the fun at Felixstowe this weekend when the carnival cavalcade comes to "toon".

For cartoon fun is the theme for the big day – the highlight of the resort's line-up of summertime events.

Organisers say the procession on Saturday will be as large as last year's, when more than 25,000 people flocked to the seaside to enjoy a day of excitement, entertainment and family fun.

Now all that is needed is sunshine, and everyone should be guaranteed a marvellous time.

"We have had some wonderful weather this week and some really hot days, yet we understand there has been torrential rain in Ipswich," said carnival secretary, Richard Stewart.

"The message we want to get across to people is, don't worry about what the weather is like where you are and don't let it put you off – come to Felixstowe because it can be so different down here.

"If we get a gorgeous day, it will be just marvellous and it could be one of the best ever carnivals."

Mr Stewart said 45 entries had been received for the parade and the total is expected to top 50 on the day. More than half of these are 40ft floats.

"The procession will be as big as last year, which was one of the longest ever. It is going to take some time to make its way through the town and should give people plenty to look at and enjoy," he said.

"We are expecting crowds between 25,000 and 30,000 people and that is phenomenal, it will give the town a real boost."

It is a big day, too, for carnival queen, Faye Lloyd, 19, holding the title for the second year running, and her princesses, Becky Vinecombe, 13, a pupil at Deben High School, and Sarah Hawes, 11, a pupil at Grange Primary.

They begin their day by visiting some of the resort's care homes for the elderly and touring the town, before inspecting the parade, which begins lining up in High Road East and Rosemary Avenue from 11am for judging at 1pm.

Faye, Becky and Sarah will then be at the front of the cavalcade as it sets off at 3pm on its two-mile trip through the town.

The parade will go down Hamilton Road as far as The Triangle, then branch right to continue along Crescent Road past the cinema and public library, down Highfield Road and right into Orwell Road, and left at Garrison Lane.

It will then make for the leisure centre and along the seafront on Sea Road.

The carnival funfair on Pier Bight opens today and will run until Sunday night. Undercliff Road West has been reduced to one lane and lights will control the traffic.

The Suffolk School of Samba will be one of the main attractions in the parade and will also be giving a display on the prom near the pier at 8.30pm on Sunday.

Sunday will also feature a disco on the prom from 8pm.