PRESTON'S Caribbean Carnival has become a victim of its own success.

This year's colourful spectacular on May 26 pulled in so many revellers that organisers are now planning to move the annual event to a new city centre location for next year's 30th anniversary bash.

If it goes ahead the Notting Hill Carnival style parade will wind through the city's high streets before party fever hits Avenham Park for a host of fun family activities.

The move is likely to spell good news for traders as thousands of fun-seekers descend onto the streets -- although the new city centre street drinking restrictions could put a lid on boozy revellers.

Michelle Buck, manager of The Assembly, in Lune Street, said: "Anything that gets people into the centre is great for our business. I can't normally go as I'm working so I might even be able to see a bit of it next year if it goes ahead."

This year's carnival attracted 25,000 people to Moor Park and Deepdale; a city centre event would take similar planning to the Queen's visit last year, with streets closed off and a strong police presence.

Sergeant Mark Farnworth of the operations planning department said: "It has been proposed that it runs through the city centre and of course we will have to take into consideration the city centre drinking ban as it may affect the route and the day on which it's held.

"We are working closely with the Caribbean Carnival team and hope to be of assistance. We will have to enhance police resources accordingly. The carnival is the equivalent to a big match day in terms of manpower, although it is usually peaceful.

"This year we requested barriers down Meadow Street to protect the public from the wheels on the floats, which is just one of the many things we must consider for public safety and those taking part."

Ron Clarke, chairman of the Caribbean Carnival is now working with the city council, Preston City Centre Management and the International City in Europe Executive to plan the event.

He said: "Next year is the 30th carnival and we want to do something special. We would like to bring the event into the city as it is for all of Preston's communities and Avenham is easily accessible.

"Historically the carnival replaced the Whit walks and was held in Deepdale because that's where the majority of the West Indian population lived."

Carl Speight, Preston City Centre manager, said: "One of the aims of our event programme is to encourage as many high quality vibrant and lively events as possible to come into the city centre.

"The Caribbean Carnival, with its long-established past, colour and life would fit the bill perfectly in this regard, and we would very much welcome any possibility of it concluding in Avenham Park in 2004."