Thornbury's carnival is being revived after a gap of 13 years.

Retired teacher David Goldring is co-ordinating the event, which has been booked for next summer.

The carnival, which in its heyday had 30 floats parading along High Street, was abandoned due to the cost, red tape and problems in getting enough people to organise it.

But it is now on its way back - and could even feature a fly-past or display by the Red Arrows, provided enough sponsorship can be found.

If the aerobatic team can be booked, it will be a special day for its leader, Wing Commander Jas Hawker, who was a pupil at Thornbury's Castle School and whose family still live locally.

Mr Goldring said the idea to revive the carnival came from talks with Tim Pearce, vice-chairman of Thornbury Chamber of Commerce. But they want as many local organisations as possible to get involved.

Mr Goldring said: “We want this to be a big headline event - big from the start - and hope other people will join in to make it a success.”

The date chosen for the carnival's return is Saturday, July 4, 2009 and the Mundy Playing Fields have already been secured for the day.

Both Thornbury Town Council and South Gloucestershire Council have given their backing and a meeting for all groups who want to be involved will be held at 7.30pm on October 2 in the Turnberries community building, Rock Street.

Mr Goldring hopes scouts and guides, youth clubs, service organisations, churches and groups such as the Women's Institute will all be keen to take part.

Thornbury Round Table, which used to run the carnival, has already offered its services.

Mr Pearce said: “Although the chamber introduced the carnival idea, we want this to be organised by the town as a whole because it will be too big for just one group to 'own'. We are also asking people who remember the carnival and might have some memorabilia to come forward.”

Tony Lines, president of Thornbury Horticultural Society, said one of the attractions was a tug-of-war contest between local pubs, with a barrel of beer as the prize.

He said: “There was a trophy given to the winning team and I believe it is still in the town. Perhaps they could track it down and include a competition when the carnival comes back.”