A BUMPER number of carts is expected at the Highbridge and Burnham Carnival this year with only one cancellation so far.

Organisers say they have received 90 entries for this year’s event comprising 45 carts and 45 walking groups or individuals, which includes marching bands and people in fancy dress.

Deputy chairman of the Highbridge and Burnham Carnival Committee, Paul Archer, said it was highly unusual to have had so few cancellations from clubs at this late stage which means it promises to be a great line-up for 2014.

He said: “Over the last few years the clubs have often been hit by financial restraints such as a lack of sponsorship which has stopped them coming out.

“This year they may have gone smaller but more are taking part which is great news and we are really looking forward to a good year.

“We have done our best to converse with residents about the new cart line-up which affects residential roads and fear we should have started the consultation a bit earlier so people knew what we were planning that bit sooner.

“However we have completed a 500-letter drop to informpeople of the road closures and how it will affect them.”

This year’s event will start off with a bang at the traditional seafront fireworks display on Sunday, November 2.

This will be held at 6.30pm with the carnival on Monday with the cart parade starting at 7.30pm in Love Lane opposite the Tesco supermarket.

It will then proceed to the Esso filling station, Manor Road, left into Victoria Street through the High Street and along to Marine Drive. There has been a major change to the line up of carts this year after police said the procession could interfere with the movement of emergency vehicles.

Instead they will go along Frank Foley Parkway and Love Lane, between Hawley Way and Ramsey way only.

Frank Foley Parkway, from the junction with Pepperall Road to Ben Travers Way near Tesco, will be closed from 9pm on Saturday, November 1, until 1am on Tuesday, November 4. Love Lane, from the junction with Queen’s Drive to the junction with Stoddens Lane, will be closed for the same period.

Other roads will be closed from 4pm on the day of the Carnival including Ben Travers way from Tesco to Frank Foley Parkway, and 6.15pm the route will be closed from Queen’s Drive from the junction with Stoddens Lane to the junction with Love Lane.

At 7.30pm Burnham Road, from the Pepperall Road junction, will be closed.

The best places for parking are the Oxford Street car park and the Somerfield's supermarket car park although many side streets also have spaces.