Holding out for fine weather - Rustington Carnival this Saturday!

"We are just hoping that it will be a fine day," he said. "It's the one thing we can't arrange."

What the Lions have arranged though is another spectacle of colour and sound to wind its way through the streets of Rustington.

This year's theme is Mardi Gras so expect some dazzling costumes from the 21 walking groups, bands and cheerleading troupes who are no doubt busy putting the final touches to their outfits, polishing their instruments and getting ready for the big day.

The procession sets off from Holmes Lane at 1pm from where it heads through Sea Lane, Shaftesbury Road, Broadmark Lane, The Street and finally to Woodlands Avenue where the Grand Fte starts on the Woodlands Recreation Ground at 2pm.

Arun District Council chairman Graham Tyler and his wife Diane have been charged with judging the procession along with the chairman of Rustington Parish Council Mike Warrington and his wife Wendy.

Rustington Princess Holly Peacock, 11, and her attendant Charlotte Podesta, both from Rustington Primary School will ride through the parade where they will be joined by Littlehampton's Carnival Queen Chelsea Hunt, Princesses, Junior Princess and Flower Girls.

At the fte, a host of stalls and arena events have been organised, as well as a dog show and a funfair.

Around the arena will be stalls set up by various local groups and organisations to raise money for their own good causes with games and attractions.

From 1-4pm Rustington Heritage Museum, next to the parish council offices in Woodlands Avenue, will be open, showing its education-themed Three Rs exhibition.

The beneficiary of the event is Littlehampton-based homeless charity HOMElink.

Line-dancing, short mat bowls and martial arts have all featured so far in the festivities, which started on June 16.

Other events in the festival line-up include a quiz night organised by Rustington Twinning Association after the carnival on Saturday at the Woodland Centre from 7.15pm. Teams of up to six can compete for 2.50 per person and there's a licensed bar.

Songs of Praise will be sung at the parish church on Sunday, June 24, at 6.30pm and a guided walk by Rustington Heritage Association on Thursday, June 28, which meets at the Village Information Centre in the Churchill Parade car park at 2.30pm.

Rustington Horticultural Association holds its Rose and Sweet Pea Show at the Woodland Centre on June 30 from 2pm and an antiques fair will also be held at the Woodland Centre on July 1 from 10am-4pm.

For more details, pick up a free colour programme from the Village Information Centre and various shops in Rustington.

Austen said: "We hope that this year's procession will be at least as good as last year's which was the best ever. As long as the weather behaves it will be a great day."