ORGANISERS of this year’s Bridport Carnival are crossing their fingers for good weather as final preparations come together for this weekend’s event.

The popular carnival procession will take place on Saturday evening, led by Bridport Carnival Queen Kirsty Ellison, who auditioned the day before her 16th birthday, singing I Dreamed a Dream from Les Misérables.

Carnival chairman Shaun Fox is hoping there will be lots of entries as the best floats and costumes are judged during the procession.

“Hopefully it is something the whole town looks forward to – one of the biggest free shows in the calendar,” said Mr Fox.

“Bridport Carnival has been called one of the best in the South West and with good reason.

“It just leaves us hoping for good weather and lots of entries to make it another special year.”

As well as the carnival procession, the popular torchlight procession will return on Sunday evening.

Last year, hundreds of people took part in the torchlight procession.

Picking up the torches from Bridport Town Hall, they made their way to West Bay where the torches were thrown onto the fire, before a fireworks display.

Broadchurch stars Olivia Colman, Shaun Dooley and James D’Arcy got involved in the event and were even spotted taking a selfie enjoying the fun. after they took a break from filming.

“It has been more work than usual this year with Highways England worrying about our annual, and very popular, torchlight procession crossing the A35 at the Crown roundabout,” said Mr Fox.

“For a time it seemed as if red tape would win the day but thankfully with a lot of support from Dorset Police, Bridport Town Council, West Dorset District Council and MP Oliver Letwin, common sense and tradition has prevailed.”

Tomorrow (14) a fun fair will take place at the West Street car park, before the Wessex Military Band will entertain revellers on Saturday morning in Bucky Doo Square.

The Bridport Carnival procession will leave from West Road, West Allington from 7pm on Saturday night, with the presentation of the cups taking place in Bucky Doo Square on Saturday evening.

The festivities will be rounded off with the torchlight procession on Sunday.

Torches will be on sale from 6.30pm in Bucky Doo Square.

The fiery procession will be starting at 9pm, before the spectacular fireworks display, which is set to blast off at 10pm.