The stage is set for a weekend of twinkling lights, spectacular costumes and street entertainment as the carnival comes to town in Somerset and Dorset.

Wellington and Shaftesbury are hosting their annual parades and hoping thousands of spectators will join them this evening for a bumper night of family fun and fundraising.

Up to 50 floats from Yeovil, Chard, Taunton and Ilminister are expected to join the procession in Wellington as it weaves its way from Perry Elm in Rockwell Green at 7.30pm and continues to Mantle Street and through the town centre before ending the parade at Chelston Farm.

The carnival is the first in the South Somerset circuit and signals the start of six weeks of festivities across the county.

Wellington firefighters will lead the parade, followed by guests of honour Tim Slattery, Mayor of Taunton Deane, and Peter Critchard, Mayor of Wellington.

And no carnival would be complete without a dazzling carnival queen. This year, the role falls to Tessa White, who will be joined by Miss Junior Wellington, India Gill.

Volunteers armed with collecting tins will be pounding the streets throughout the evening in the hope the dreaded credit crunch will not squeeze the generosity of the crowd who dig deep every year to help raise thousands of pounds for local charities.

And over the border in Dorset, revellers are expected to line the streets of Shaftesbury as the town welcomes its own selection of snaking floats and weird and wonderful walking entries as the Wessex Circuit continues.

But carnival fans do not have to wait until the evening for entertainment, as the town has a packed programme of events prepared.

Shaftesbury Town Hall will be open from 9am with tombolas, raffles and stalls and Dorset Morris Minor Club is rolling into town at 2.50pm with a procession of 50 cars parading through High Street before pulling up in Park Walk.

The budding carnival stars of the future will be taking to the street in the children's procession at 3pm ahead of the main event.

Dolphins Marching Band will head down High Street at 6.50pm, leading in the illuminated procession at 7.15pm, which will leave from Shaftesbury Fire Station.

Carnival secretary Gill Wallis said: "The Morris Minor Club is a new addition for us this year, but otherwise, it's the usual carnival and we're ready to go. We always get a good turnout and a lot of support, come rain or shine, but as the weather forecast is good we are hoping there'll be plenty of people watching."

Mrs Wallis said the carnival was always in need of volunteers to help with the collection. She said: "So if anyone can help, they can come to the Town Hall and pick up a collection tin. I'll be there from 8.30am."

Wellington town centre will be closed to traffic from 7pm and Perry Elm from 6.30pm.