After a long winter of planning, a week of summer fun is on the horizon as the programme begins to take shape for the 2010 Wells Carnival.The popular event will be held between July 31 and August 8, with a series of new attractions alongside traditional favourites.

After a long winter of planning, a week of summer fun is on the horizon as the programme begins to take shape for the 2010 Wells Carnival.

The popular event will be held between July 31 and August 8, with a series of new attractions alongside traditional favourites.

The week begins with a Wild West themed night on Saturday July 31, with Headspace playing live on the Buttlands, and the on Sunday August 1, local charities and organisations invited to join in the Fete Day on the Football Field.

Carnival Day itself will be Saturday, August 7 where participants will be challenged to beat last year's dazzling fancy dress displays.

Among the new events this year will be a Carnival's Got Talent Show for 11 to 18-year-olds to perform to an audience, with prizes for the winning act.

The committee has also confirmed the return of the Raft Race for its second year, on Sunday, August 1.

Carnival organiser Patrick Weston said: “We can't guarantee sunshine but we can guarantee a great atmosphere in the town and hope not just to match last year's amazing week, but beat it and give the town a carnival to be proud of.”

Festival-goers have been given a new digital route to keep in touch with developments after the creation of a Wells Carnival site on social networking website Facebook.

The site will be used to share information, invite suggestions for which film to show on “Screen on the Green”, and to show off old photographs unearthed by committee members.

Katy Poulton, who created the page, urged people to get in touch if they had any more photos, or recognised any familiar faces.

“We have no idea who is in them, or what year they are from but we think around the late 1950s or early 1960s, judging by the outfits,” she said.

Tomorrow, the carnival committee will host a sponsorship night at Wells Football Club, with a bar and buffet, to welcome new support from individuals or businesses and thank others for their continuing support. Mr Weston said everyone was welcome to attend to see how they could help, as all support was greatly appreciated.

For more information, contact Patrick Weston 01328 713002, or visit wellscarnival.co.uk. The Facebook site can be found at http://tinyurl.com/y4ucxyf