VISITORS are expected to flock to Bury in their thousands today as the town is transformed into a spectacle of colour for the annual Lions Carnival.

Decorated floats will set off from Market Street at 11am, returning there after following the usual town centre route.

With Bury In Bloom as this year’s theme, there will be an array of flowers at the fore of the parade and at the gala extravaganza being held on the Trinity Street/Market Street car park.

The gala will run between 11am and 4pm, featuring a host of stalls and a funfair, marching bands and walkers, past Bury Carnival Queens and dancing from the Woolfold Morris Troupe.

Rossendale and Pendle Mountain Rescue and Bolton Mountain Rescue Team will also be attending.

Among the vehicles that will be on display are: the 1987 Ford Granada ex-Sussex police, 1995 Ford Granada ex-Derbyshire police, 2003 Jaguar X Type ex-Merseyside police, Bury Transport Museum’s bus and wagon.

The main sponsors for the 2011 event are once again Bury-based DTE and UKCostumes4Us.com, and new sponsor Release Money Group. Jessops has also agreed to become the carnival’s official photographer. This year Bury Lions Club has celebrated its 44th year of helping and assisting the Bury community.

Carnival chairman and vice president Scott Richardson said: “I am expecting another very successful carnival this year. For many years we have showcased what is good about Bury with our wide variety of themes, displays, performances, walking parties and vehicles on parade and the gala. This is my second year of organising the event, and I’m still enjoying every minute.

“May I thank each and everyone who has supported us throughout the year.”