Last updated at 14:17, Monday, 02 July 2012

THE Olympic flame may have bypassed Furness but Ulverston carnival organisers are determined the town will not miss out.

An official Olympic torch will make its way through the streets on one of the floats in the parade on Saturday.

Afterwards carnival-goers can have their photo taken holding the torch, which was carried through Keswick earlier this month by Milly Pyne.

Organiser Peter Winston said: “We will have a photo booth in Ford Park that people can use for a donation to the Alice’s Escapes charity.

“We are hoping that will add a huge sum to our charitable collection this year – we are aiming to raise one or thousand pounds more than usual.

“Hopefully, the torch will be our unique selling point this year.”

Alice’s Escapes is a charity providing holidays for sick children and their families that was set up by Milly’s sister, Alice.

Alice, 16, was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma four years ago while Milly, 13, was born with Crouzon’s syndrome – where the bones of the skull are fused together at birth.

Around 100 floats are expected to take part in the parade, which sets off from Hart Street before making its way to Ford Park.

Mr Winston said: “It has not been a good run-in for the carnivals this year with the weather – it has been rather wet and miserable.

“We are hoping it will be nice and sunny for Ulverston carnival.”

This year’s carnival ambassadors are Tom Rutter and carnival queen Eleanor Davison.

Mr Winston added: “Other than the addition of the torch, the format will be the same as in other years.”

In previous years the event has attracted as many as 15,000 people to Ulverston, although Mr Winston said the weather can have a big impact on attendance.

The carnival is due to begin at 11am.

First published at 13:15, Monday, 02 July 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk