CHILDREN in Bradford on Avon are busy making colourful preparations for the town’s annual lantern procession in September.

Under the watchful eye of lantern maker Kate Nottage, they have been making up to 500 lanterns for the forthcoming Lantern Procession on Saturday, September 16.

The procession starts at 7.20pm at the Tithe Barn near the Barton Farm Country Park and is being held as part of the Bradford on Avon Arts Festival.

It began four years ago when Kate was asked to make lanterns for the Bradford on Avon Arts Festival on the theme of ‘Light’.

Kate said: “This year’s arts festival theme is Flights of Fancy and the lantern kits will make a flighty balloon or a fancy bird.

“We are making up to 500 lanterns, based on how many we sold last year, and the age range of the people making them is 3 to 93. The procession is such a peaceful and beautiful thing. People seem to love it.”

Kate is helping families to make the lanterns during the August Summer Fun Days held every Friday between 11am and 2pm at Victory Field.

The lantern kits are on sale at Brown’s Hardware in Silver Street and at the By The Way shop near the Kennet & Avon Canal.

They are also available from the Bradford on Avon Arts Festival Saturday stall in Lamb Yard from 10am to 2pm at £5 per kit. This year, for the first time, the Saturday stall is selling a kit for the under 5s.

If you wish to help with lantern making during August, you should contact Kate Nottage on 07967 634978 or email katenot9@gmail.com

Members of the Bradford on Avon Emergency Community Volunteers will marshal the procession near the canal.

The Summer Fun Days are organised by Bradford on Avon Town Council on each Friday during August. They are supported by Active Trowbridge.

Activities are taking place on Friday August 18 and 25 at £3 per child. To book call the town council on 01225 864240.

On August 18 there will be inflatables, indo-boarding and under 5s games. On August 25 there will be inflatables, tri golf and rocketball.