IT is the spectacular and colourful event that has charmed a Hampshire community for 85 years.

Since it began in 1929, Ringwood Carnival has raised thousands of pounds for charity.

Ringwood Fire Service is set to benefit from this year’s event – which takes place today – with organisers aiming to make more than £5,000.

Crowds in their thousands are expected to line the narrow streets of the town for the children’s afternoon procession which will leave Parkside Estate at 2pm, winding its way along the High Street, which will be closed to traffic, to the Market Square before returning at 3pm.

The torchlight evening procession will start at 7.15pm and return at 8.30pm.

Scores of decorated floats will parade around the town, and Sampson’s Horses will lead the Carnival Queen.

Stilt-walkers, jugglers, buskers and clowns will keep the crowds amused with day-long street entertainment, while on the Bickerley a fun fair will be open all day, closing at 11.45pm, and there will be a host of trade stands and live music.

There will be fire performers in Market Place and Friday’s Cross, a samba band and a circus skills workshop, plus a great line-up of other bands including rock, folk and marching bands.

Five local bands will be playing all day at the Gateway.

The day will culminate in a grand firework display.

This year’s Carnival Queen will be 16-year-old Isabella Rix, accompanied by attendants Becky D’Arcy and Mabel Collins.

Isabella, a sixth form student at Ringwood School, said: “I’m really looking forward to the carnival. It should be great.”

Alix Gardner, a member of the Ringwood Carnival Committee, said: “It is a brilliant event, and the fact that it has been running for 85 years shows that people really want to help their community.

“It is a great day out for people of all ages, and the carnival will see bands, Cubs, Scouts and all different kinds of people marching through.”

Main sponsor for the event is Ellis Jones Solicitors, with other supporters this year including Churchill Retirement Living, Ringwood Brewery, Oak Mount Care Home, Framptons and Henderson Bearings.

Nigel Smith, managing partner of Ellis Jones Solicitors, said: “Ringwood Carnival is one of the area’s best-loved community events which really brings people together. It’s a fantastic event which is not only great fun but also raises thousands of pounds for charity.”