BUSINESSES will say a big "thank you" to the people of Radcliffe when they get in on the act at the town's annual shindig.

With just a week to go, members of Radcliffe Traders' Association are planning a fun-packed programme of events on June 5 to complement the town's 34th annual carnival and parade.

The activities will centre on the piazza with entertainment for young and old alike, including free face-painting and bouncy castle, a fun-fair, classic cars, craft stalls and a tombola.

Live music will help the afternoon go with a swing and everyone can join in the fun between 10am and 6pm.

Miss Jane Dundavan, association chairman, said: "It is really a way to say 'thank you' to the people of Radcliffe. It is something the traders wanted to do and they are paying for it.

"The idea is to complement the carnival and the procession as it passes through the town centre. We have worked with the carnival committee to arrange this."

The traders first staged the event last year Miss Dundavan said: "It went really well. Unfortunately, the weather was not too good, but when it cleared up a lot of people turned out."

As usual the carnival itself will be centred on Red Bank Field with a majorettes competition kicking things off at 10.30am.

The parade will set off at 2pm and the Mayor and Mayoress of Bury, Councillor and Mrs John Costello, will crown the carnival royalty at about 4pm.

Throughout the day there will be a car boot sale and stalls. Silcock's fun-fair will be open from 11am to 10pm.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.