THE Dursley Festival is gearing up to be the biggest and best yet with food, games, music, dancing and shopping galore.

The annual festival takes place this weekend from 9am to late in the centre of Dursley.

Starting at the market place with a special farmers' market the festival moves from the shopping area to the recreational field as the carnival procession makes its way through the town at 1pm.

Local organisations entering the procession will be dressed in the natural world theme and will led by a Brazilian Samba Band filling the town with the sound of the carnival. The Dursley Rosebuds will be waving from their vintage car to the crowds in the procession, so make sure you give them a wave.

"Being part of the procession is such great fun and a memorable experience - whatever your age," said Jane Manning, from the festival committee.

"We have a great many local groups involved and are putting on a fantastic mix of displays and entertainment on the recreation ground during the afternoon ranging from martial arts, circus performers and cheerleaders, to belly-dancers, street dancers and a taste of bollywood."

There will also be stalls, food, bar and music all afternoon.

* See this week's Gazette for a full programme of events.