Thousands of spectators are expected to brave the cold tonight to watch this year's Burnham-on-Sea winter carnival.

The annual event is the third in the Somerset carnival procession.

It is nicknamed the "Magnificent Seven", as it includes Bridgwater, North Petherton, Shepton Mallet, Wells, Glastonbury and Weston-super-Mare.

The carnivals in Somerset date back 400 years and are one of the most spectacular events in the region. In some of the bigger locations such as Bridgwater, more than 120,000 people line the streets to watch the procession.

Burnham's carnival gets underway at Tesco in Love Lane at 7.30pm before weaving its way through Manor Road and Victoria Street.

It will continue along the High Street, Marine Drive and finish opposite Holimarine Holiday Park in Marine Drive.

Leading the procession will be Carnival Queen Jessica Rogers, 15, and her Princesses Danielle Hockey and Bethany May Ellis.

Hillview Juvenile Carnival Club will be hoping to impress the judges with its 100ft float Gee Wizz.

The wizard-themed float cost £14,000 to build and has 12,500 light bulbs. Design work began a few days after last year's carnival.

Club chairman Mark Bishop said: "It's been another great team effort this year, with volunteers of all ages and skills helping us. Each person has a very important part to play."

Motorists are advised the A38 will be shut from 6.30pm from the Isleport roundabout in Highbridge to Moor Lane in Burnham. The B3140 from Edithmead to Burnham is also closed for the carts to assemble.

Traffic from the M5 travelling into Burnham will be diverted along Edithmead Lane, Stodden's Lane and Love Lane instead with parking available at Oxford Street or at Somerfield.