THE 2017 Bradford on Avon Arts Festival will conclude this weekend with a lantern procession, fantastical light show and poetry competition awards ceremony.

Organisers are busy making last minute preparations for the end-of- festival party and lantern procession on Saturday, September 16 offering fun for all the family.

The festival is staging a ‘fantastical light show’ at Westbury House Gardens from 5.30pm to 9.30pm, with live music from The Ambling Band, Karsilama & The Featherweight Space Biscuit, and Jimmy Moore.

At the same time, a procession of more than 400 adults and children with colourful ‘Flights of Fancy’ lanterns will wend their way into town along the River Avon.

The procession starts at 7.20pm at the Tithe Barn, as the sun is setting. Members of the Bradford on Avon Emergency Community Volunteers will marshal the event.

The colourful lanterns have been put together from kits with help from local lantern maker Kate Nottage, who said she is happy to help with last-minute advice for those in difficulty.

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. So far, we have sold more than 400 lanterns.

“I would strongly urge people to have made them by Friday, as the glue needs to dry. If anyone needs help, they can come and see me at our stall in Westbury Gardens between 10am and 5pm on Saturday.”

The festival comes to an end on Sunday, September 17 at The Swan Hotel, Bradford on Avon, with the prize-giving ceremony for the Flights of Fancy poetry competition.

The event, which starts at 7.30pm, will also feature a reading of her own work by competition judge Carrie Etter, of Bath Spa University, plus her judge's comments. All are welcome to attend.

More information on the Bradford on Avon Arts Festival is available from www.boaartsfestival.com