WOODLEY Community Carnival returns to Woodford Park this weekend with a bumper schedule of activities.

The 57th annual celebration will this year focus on a theme of Planes, Trains and Automobiles, with the procession making its way through the streets from the airfield on Comet Way from midday Saturday.

There will be prizes on offer for the best floats, with a full-scale replica of a Spitfire plane likely to be the centrepiece attraction for this year's community carnival.

Sue Tyler, one of the volunteers helping to organise the carnival, said: "We are hoping to have another good turnout. I have been told it will be sunny on Saturday.

"Months of planning goes into an event this big and it would be a shame to have a washout. The event also costs around £35,000 to put together.

"Planning for next year's carnival will start as soon as this one finishes, but we couldn't do it without the help of a team of dedicated volunteers."

Colourful flower exhibits will be on display at The Oakwood Centre courtesy of Woodley Flower Club, while the town's photography club will be displaying the results of the carnival photography competition.

Sue added: "We have a special five-a-side game between the winners of the Reading FC former Players' Association charity tournament and a Reading FC former players team.

"A number of charities will benefit from the event, with Woodley Food Bank, Community First Responders and Link Visiting Scheme all set to receive donations.

"It is a terrific event but we still need people to come down and get behind it by designing floats."

Carnival floats are scheduled to arrive in Woodford Park from 2.30pm onwards and guests will then have the chance to visit the petting zoo and model village displays.

First responders for Woodley will also be showing off their new vehicle, with the help of mayor Jenny Chang, who will be cutting the ribbon at around 1.30pm.

The day will finish with the evening concert from 6pm and a firework display, with a range of food and drink available throughout the day.

Visit: http://www.woodleycarnival.org.uk/index.html for more information.