AROUND 50 stalls will be set up on the field opposite Bold Venture Park, Darwen, next weekend for the 48th annual gala.

Organisers are looking forward to the popular event, which will start as usual with the parade from Anchor Road to the gala field at the top of Belgrave Road and Borough Road.

Starting at 12.30pm on Saturday, August 17, the floats will pass through the town centre at 1pm and reach the gala field at 1.20pm.

Darwen Gala will then be officially opened by town council mayor Eileen Entwistle, and the Mayor and Mayoress of Blackburn with Darwen, Salim and Sayeeda Mulla.

The latest round of cash grants from the Crown Paints and Darwen Town Council Community Awards will then be handed over on the main stage.

Entertainment will be provided by the Accrington Pipe Band, Cheer Valley Cheerleaders and Cuerden Birds of Prey.

John Sturgess, chairman of the Darwen Gala committee, said: “The gala is very much part of the social calendar in Darwen and we are looking forward to the usual amazing levels of support on the day.

“The small committee behind it give up their time freely to ensure we build on its proud history of helping charities raise money for themselves and also providing a free day out for families. Let us hope the recent heatwave continues to give us the added bonus of sunshine.”

Mr Sturgess added: “We have some children’s favourites again this year such as the climbing wall and high wire attraction, along with a new act for us in Cuerden Birds of Prey.

“We aren’t sure if the Land Rover trips to Darwen Tower will take place this year due to revised insurance rules for Red Rose Land Rover Club. It will be such a shame to lose this permanently.

“There is also a continuation event with the Twilight Walk organised by Blackburn Youth Zone.

“It is fantastic to be able to get co-operation between the two events as it strengthens them both and provides even more chance for local families to have fun doing things together.”