PREPARATIONS for Poole’s first carnival in 12 years are well under way with the help of customers at Waitrose.

Organisers of the event, which will include a parade through Parkstone’s Ashley Road and Alder Road, received a £450 boost from the shop’s Community Matters scheme.

The scheme sees customers of the Ashley Road supermarket drop green tokens into a transparent box to vote for which of three good causes they would most like to support.

Richard Wilson, chairman of Ashley Road Traders Association, said the donation was “quite amazing”.

“It all helps towards the costs of organising this event, which are absolutely enormous,” he said.

Poole last had a carnival in 2002 and traders in Upper Parkstone are reviving the tradition on Bank Holiday Monday, May 26.

There will be a procession at 11.15am, heading along Ashley Road and Alder Road to Branksome Recreation Ground, where there will be stalls and entertainment for all ages.

Several top local bands and majorette groups have already signed up.

Haven Lettings and the hairdressers Just Michael’s are among the other sponsors who are making the event possible, while the Sea View Hotel has sponsored an appearance by the Wessex Military Band at the head of the parade.

“We are over the moon with the support we’re getting. It’s overwhelming,” said Mr Wilson.

Waitrose has also provided £450 towards efforts to improve Ashley Road with flower displays.

“We’ve got a meeting soon to figure out what we’re going to do with this money and where it’s going to go,” Mr Wilson said.

Organisers are appealing for more marshals to help Poole Carnival day go smoothly. For details, visit poolecarnival.info

A FLOWER show will take place as part of Poole Carnival on Bank Holiday Monday.

The event will run from 11am-5pm at Branksome Recreation as part of a day of carnival fun.

There are 67 classes open for competition, covering flowers, homecraft, flower arrangements, handicraft and children’s entries.

There are no entry fees and no prize money, but there will be certificates for the best exhibits Full details and rules are at poolecarnival.info Entries are requested by Friday, May 23. Contact David Bassil, flower show organiser, on 01202 752014 or at dcbassil@tiscalli.co.uk