VERWOOD Carnival will return during the Platinum Jubilee bank holiday following a two-year break.

The theme for the procession has been announced as 'All Things Royal' to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee.

For the first time in history, the carnival's 'royal family' will be extended to include two princes alongside the traditional queen and two princesses.

Speaking about this year's event, chairman Shelley Rose said: "Obviously we haven't had a carnival for two years, which has been very sad. We've got the Jubilee this year, the bank holiday is on the following weekend and our event is Friday the 3rd of June.

"We have added to our royal family this year, traditionally it's been a queen and two princesses but we were asked last year if we could make it inclusive and introduce two princes so the royal selection will happen soon and Ringwood Carnival will help with that.

"We have lots planned with a nice big event on the Friday, it's our first year relocating to Potterne Park so our procession is now longer and will start from our original site, 'The Fuzzy Bit' and make its way through the town centre, up past Morrisons and finishing off at Potterne Park, so it's going to be a much bigger event, we've got more room to grow there and we're all really excited about it."

The event will be running from 12noon until 5pm and will have main arena events during the day along with a selection of stalls and a range of things to buy, sell and eat.

There will also be a big funfair with four to five rides and the children's fun fair as well.

Community groups, schools, businesses and individuals are being encouraged to take part in the event and the carnival is also looking for people to help source vehicles for the procession. The organisers will arrange vehicle insurance.

All floats will be prepared at 'The Fuzzy Bit' on Thursday June 2, ready for the event on Friday June 3.