Last year’s princess, Chloe Broom, promoted to queen.

Carnival organisers in Honiton are to extend the annual spectacle’s programme of events - and stress a rumour that this year’s grand procession will be the last is completely untrue.

“We intend to carry on for as long as we can,” carnival secretary Karen Wilson told the Midweek Herald.

She added: “We are working to make the October carnival and the Christmas carnival in December as good as ever, despite the recession and increased costs.

“If everyone watching puts �1 in a collecting tin, it would cover our costs and allow us to donate more to local charities.”

With Robb Sleeman at the helm as chairman of Honiton and District Carnival, next month’s carnival week has been extended to include new events and even the reintroduction of an old favourite.

Donations from the proceeds of the week are to benefit the Honiton-based Baton charity, set up by Alan Rowe MBE, and Help for Heroes.

A craft fayre, the first of its kind organised by the committee, will herald the start of festivities on October 13. Taking place in the Mackarness Hall and intended to be a showcase for local crafts, the event will incorporate the crowning of this year’s carnival queen, Chloe Broom, who did a sterling job as a princess last year. Her younger sister, Kayleigh, is to be carnival princess.

Anybody wishing to display their crafts at the event can book a table by calling Mrs Wilson on 07951438598.

Carnival week proper will start with a quiz at Turks Head Lodge on Sunday, October 21, from 7pm. Teams comprising a minimum of two people can enter on the night for an entry fee of �2 per person.

The following night (Monday, October 22) a fashion show, featuring clothes from Travelling Trends, will be staged at the same venue at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost �5 and are available from any carnival committee member or by calling Mrs Wilson on the mobile number quoted above.

Bar meals will be available.

A former carnival favourite, a children’s party, originally established by the late Pat Allen, is being reintroduced and will take place in the Mackarness Hall on Tuesday, October 23.

A sausage and beans supper will be served at the 5pm to 7pm event, which will be open to those aged seven and under.

Entertainment is being provided by singers from Honiton Pantomime Society, a magician and Honiton Twirlstars. There will also be a bouncy castle. Entry will be �2 per child on the door.

The fun continues on Thursday, October 25, with an ‘ice’ skating disco at Turks Head Lodge, from 5pm to 8pm. Entry will cost �1.50.

Saturday, October 27, is the day of the grand procession, starting at 7.30pm. The mayor, mayoress and town crier will appear in the parade on trikes driven by members of the Axemen Bikers.

Marshals are needed to help with crowd control from 6pm on the night and local organisations supplying manpower will receive �15 per person.