ORGANISERS are gearing up for a new-look Dorchester Carnival.

There will be an influence from the big screen as the county town celebrates carnival time on Saturday June 14 with a movie theme this year.

Former carnival chairman John Palmer took over the running of the annual event after the Dorchester Round Table announced it was no longer running the event after 40 years.

With the help of a dedicated committee, Mr Palmer says that plans for the 2014 carnival are shaping up nicely with plenty of new touches for the big day.

There will be an Italian Market running in Brewery Square on the Friday before the carnival and on the day there will be a host of stalls with a street fair from 9am to 5pm.

Live music will also be sounding out from the square from 10am with a host of top line ups organised by local musician Jamie Pinnow of mmm... Nice music.

The big parade with its movie theme will set off at 6pm from Fairfield car park as usual but will take a new route through Brewery Square, along Weymouth Avenue and up Trinity Street before heading along Princes Street, down Cornwall Road and back to the car park.

Children will also be able to enjoy the return of the funfair to the Market car park, which will be setting up from Wednesday, June 11.

Mr Palmer thanked the way the local community had rallied round to help support the carnival and ensure it survived and urged people to make the most of it by getting involved.

He said: “I am very pleased with the way that the various clubs and some local business and the town council have helped to organise the carnival this year, and we are hoping that it will be an enjoyable time for town and hope to grow it each year to make it better and better with the help of the people and business of Dorchester.

“So I am urging people to come along and take part in the carnival and to enter a float or have a stall at the street fair.”

He added: “With the help of the town we will make this a great family event.

“So come along and support the carnival and have some fun.”

n Anyone interested in signing up for the parade or having a stall at the street fair can email John at johnapalmer2@msn.com.