CROWDS of more than 25,000 people are expected to flock to the 25th Otley Carnival - clear skies permitting.

Last year's event had to be dramatically called off due to torrential rain but the organisers are determined to make up for that disappointment this time.

Eight schools from the area, as well as community groups, have designed and built carnival floats for this year's special anniversary event, which takes place on Midsummer's Day - Saturday, June 21.

The carnival's future, along with Yeadon's, looked in jeopardy earlier in the year but the threat posed by potentially crippling road closure expenses was removed after Leeds City Council agreed to pick up the bill.

Otley Sailing Club, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, will enter no fewer than four floats on the day, which will be joined by imaginative creations from the 2nd Otley Scouts, the River Wharfe Irish Dancers, the Yew Tree pub and the Otley Citizens Advice Bureau.

Also taking part in the parade will be the Foot Loose Dance School, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Caley Rainbows and two majorette groups, while no fewer than nine local bands - including Otley Town Band and the City of Leeds Pipe Band - will be providing live music.

Harley-Davidson motorbikes, a steam traction engine, a Sammy Ledgard bus and a variety of cars and mini-buses will also be taking part. The parade will be led by the carnival queen, Ellen Cartwright, and her attendants, who will travel through the town to the Showground at Bridge End in a 1924 Model T Ford lorry.

Ellen was originally chosen as the 2007 queen but was left disappointed, along with thousands of others, after bad weather forced the carnival committee to cancel last year's event.

Carnival committee press officer Geoff Wright said: "The carnival queen and her attendants deserve our praise for their patience.

"They were all elected into office last year but as the event was cancelled due to the appalling weather they have had to wait a year for their big moment.

"The committee members and the many participants are hard at work preparing for this special 25th anniversary carnival and the event is beginning to take shape.

"The parade promises to be large, colourful and spectacular. All the eight primary schools in the area have entered floats or a walking tableau together with entries by several businesses and charities.

"There are five trophies awarded to the best floats or tableau as well as certificates. The judges will decided on the winners before the parade leaves the Leeds road auction mart.

"As usual, the parade will lead the crowd into the showground at Bridge End where there will be a range of fun activities, games and stalls."

This year will see the largest ever collection of carnival stalls and activities. They include: a fairground, miniature trains, Punch & Judy, inflatables, trampolines, a fun house, go-karts, pony rides (for younger children), for older children a bungee trampoline and a climbing wall, paint ball range, and a wonderful choice of food and drinks, including a navy chef's stall.

Activities include the carnival queen crowning, steel band music, prize giving, a dog obedience display by the tail waggers', a Harley Davidson display, falconry displays, a display from Guide dogs for the Blind and the carnival draw.

Mr Wright added: "The committee would like to express its grateful thanks to the many local businesses who have taken out adverts in the programme which has ensured we have covered the printing costs, and even provided a surplus which will go into the pot' for the benefiting organisations.

"And we would like to acknowledge the kind gesture by Yorkshire Water and Balfour Beatty in donating a substantial sponsorship towards this year's carnival, as thanks to the people of Otley for their patience during the companies' recent work in the town."

The parade will set off at 1.15pm from Wharfedale Farmers Auction Mart, on Leeds Road.

This year's carnival draw has a top prize of £200, donated by Wm Sinclair and Sons.

The organisers are keen to recruit more volunteer street collectors for the day - anyone interested can turn up between 12.30pm and 1pm on the day at the auction mart.

Finally, the event's associated annual window decorating competition will be held on Sunday, June 15, when a team of four judges will visit shops and businesses to see who has the best designs.

Anyone still wanting to enter can find our more by calling Mr Wright on 01943 465179.

Proceeds from this year's carnival will help domestic abuse charity Behind Closed Doors, the Otley Courthouse project, the Hawthorn Family Support Centre for people with mental health problems, and Otley Town Junior Football Club.

A programme is now on sale for £1 at: Otley Library; Pitts garage, Leeds Road; Pilkington's newsagents, Gay Lane; Bondgate Fisheries; The Courthouse; The Harvest, Boroughgate; Mounsey's, Boroughgate; and the Red Lion, Kirkgate.