BOTH young and old are expected to be hit with carnival fever later this year when the annual festival makes its return to Winwick.

With just months to go until Winwick Carnival kicks off, the committee tasked with making the fun fair bigger and better than last year's event is already hard at work.

But secretary Kathryn Howard has called on the residents of Winwick to offer a helping help hand to ensure this year's carnival goes off with a band on Saturday, July 18.

She said: "People can offer as much or as little time as they want. It's not a big commitment.

"But it is a way of bringing people from Winwick together. We really need people to help and get involved.

"We meet once a month at Winwick Leisure Centre and just talk through what we have got planned.

"People can just come and have a drink and it's a great way to get to know people. It's really relaxed."

The carnival committee is on the hunt for volunteers to not only to get involved with organising and planning the event but help to set up on the day.

An appeal has also been launched to find live acts and musical entertainment to perform on stage during the day.

Band Loor a Los Heroes are the first band to be announced in the line-up of acts to take to the stage.

As well as the traditional fairground favourites, sheep racing is back by popular demand following its success at the carnival in 2013.

Plans have already been put in place to organise a birds of prey show and a Battle of Britain memorial flight.

"The RAF flyover couldn't go ahead last year because of the weather so we are hoping this year the sun will shine," said Kathryn.

There are also opportunities for traders to have their own stalls at the fair.

Prices are £20 per retailer and include a table and chairs.

For more information e-mail info@winwickcarnival.co.uk.