OTLEY is all set to cheer on this year's Carnival Parade.

The 2017 carnival takes place on Saturday, June 17 and will start, as always, with a procession of specially decorated floats and walking groups.

Featuring local schools, charities and businesses along with the Carnival Queen, Town Bellman and other dignitaries, the parade will set off from Wharfedale Farmers Auction Mart at 1.15pm.

Lots of bands, including Otley Ukulele Orchestra and the City of Leeds Pipe Band, will be taking part too as the floats wind their way through the town and over Otley Bridge to the Bridge End carnival field.

On the field the entertainment will include giant inflatables, Punch and Judy shows, fairground rides, games and stalls.

Ann Steval of Otley Carnival Committee: "We are looking forward to another great day welcoming residents and visitors to our lovely town.

"We would like to emphasise that there is absolutely no charge to watch the parade or to come onto the carnival field to enjoy all the fun of the day.

"All we ask is that you empty your purses and pockets - and even check down the back of the settee - to put something in our collecting tins to support our three local beneficiaries."

Carnival Queen Elect Hannah Pears, meanwhile, performed her first official duty last weekend when she visited Wharfedale Hospital and then Tealbeck and Spring Gardens care homes.

Hannah, who was joined by her attendants and retiring Queen Olivia Bradford, will be crowned on carnival day itself.

The local groups who will each receive a share of proceeds from this year's event are Otley Parish Church Bell Restoration Appeal, Otley Skate Park Users Group and Otley Science Festival.

*Paley's Flooring has been named the overall winner of the 2017 Otley Carnival Window Dressing Competition.

Thirty businesses took up the challenge of specially decorating their windows in the run-up to carnival day this year.

In the Large Windows category the judges, who visited each of the entries last Sunday, awarded first place to Ottah's Leah, second to Casa Vitae and third to Leafy Couture - with Oxfam Highly Commended.

The winners in the Medium class were Bay Tree Cafe, with Grade One and Courtyard Planters taking second and third place respectively, and Otley Lions Bookshop Highly Commended.

In the Small Window category For the Love of Donkeys won first prize, Peony's took second place and Little Munchkins third. with Petwise Highly Commended.