AS the weather hots up, festival organisers in Preston and South Ribble are preparing for colourful fun days ahead.

In its 26th year, this year's annual Preston Caribbean Carnival, is expected to be one of the finest the town has ever seen.

Hundreds are expected to line the streets on Bank Holiday Monday, May 28, for the lavish procession from Moor Park at 12.30pm to the Caribbean Club, in Kent Street, Preston.

But before the grand extraviganza goes ahead organisers are appealing to local businesses and residents to dig deep and donate cash toward the event.

They also require dionations of materials, tools and other contributions as well as an army of willing volunteers.

Inorder to get the show on the move carnival organisers have opened workshops at Oyston Mill -- unit number 312 -- in Strand Road, Preston, for groups or individuals to join in the fun and help make costumes.

Alternatively, people can make costumes at home and join in the carnival on the day when there will be lots to do for all the family.

Attractions include a judging stage, a sound system, children's activities on the park and a range of all the usual stalls.

Top DJ Chris Goldfinger has pledged to keep the music thumping at the Caribbean club on the day and fun-seekers can enjoy a host of tasty Caribbean refreshments.

Orgnaiser Glenn Koppany said: "We need support from local people to come and watch on the park and around the Caribbean club afterwards.

The workshops are open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 6pm. People wishing to attend should call 739649.

Another fun bash in store is Longton Village Fete set for Saturday, May 19, at Longton Recreation Ground, Liverpool Road, Longton.

Responding to a plea for help, South Ribble Lions Club has accepted the challenge of helping organize this year's fete and a new team of helpers has been formed.

Magistrate and charity worker Eric Barker, who is also a Lions member, has been drafted in to organise the event and is aiming to make the fete bigger and better than ever before.

Eric said: "Longton's summer fete is important to the people in our village -- both as a social event and for the opportunity that it gives to many local charities to raise money.

"Everyone was disappointed that a shortage of helpers forced last year's cancellation. The Lions plan to make a big success of this year's fete and hope that all the residents and local businesses in Longton and the surrounding districts will give us their full support."

Meanwhile, on Saturday June 2, the new Leyland at Leisure 2001 will get underway when crafts people will descend on the Methodist Church, in Turpin Green Lane, Leyland, for a fun day of demonstrations and displays.

Entry to the hall will be free and the event will be on from 10am to 8pm with exhibitors including leathercraft and bags, salt dough craft, walking sticks and mushroom gardens to name but a few.

Visitors can also enjoy a slide show of old Leyland together with a talk on the town's history by South Ribble Museum curator Dr David Hunt.

And people can research their family tree with the help of the Chorley and Leyland branch of the Family History Society while Leyland and District Model Railway Club will be showing their latest railway displays.