ORGANISERS are putting the final touches to this year's Southampton Carnival - being hyped as the best ever.

The annual extravaganza on Saturday, July 17 is expected to attract more than 50,000 visitors into the city centre.

The free multi-cultural event aims to reflect traditional dishes, music and lifestyles from across the globe.

Vibrant and colourful floats intermingled with magnificent, elaborate and outrageous costumes will parade through the city's streets to the sounds of thumping music from 2pm.

The carnival will follow in the footsteps of last year's calypso celebrations with a tropi-cal theme as well as bringing together other communities in the city.

It was resurrected with the help of Southampton City Council after the event was forced to fold in 1997 amid allegations of apathy and lack of support.

DJs, live music and entertainment from around the world will be taking centre stage at the Mayflower Park as part of the festivities.

A diverse selection of mouth-watering food and drink will also be on offer to tickle taste-buds. So far 14 floats and 500 walkers have been secured for the spectacular procession with more still to be confirmed.

Experts from the world-famous Notting Hill carnival have also been helping with preparations to make Carnival 99 the most spectacular community-run event.

They have been running workshops to give groups top tips about costumes and floats from carnival veterans in London as part of the preparations.

Tracy Renshaw, acting community arts officer at the City Council, said: "We are hop-ing this will be the biggest and best carnival yet."

She said the entertainment, including a funfair, local bands and DJs in Mayflower Park will kick off at 1pm and last until 9pm.

"There has been a lot of interest for the event and it will be bigger than last year with a real carnival element.

"We are hoping as many people as possible will get involved."

She said the event had been organised by Southampton City Council in partnership with the community.

As part of the countdown to the special day the council has set up a dance class for people to learn soul and calypso music.

The classes are on Saturday, July 10, so everyone can learn some fun moves for carnival day.

Two sessions will take place at Cantell School, in Violet Road, led by Tony Isles, a dancer from Rampage Carnival Club.

For more details about the classes or to take part in the carnival ring Tracy Renshaw on 01703 832457.

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