THE future of a Cumbrian carnival is assured, as even the youngest babies prepare to follow in their families' footsteps.

Three families are celebrating the fourth and fifth generation of carnival participants, and this weekend will see their great grandchildren, even babies, taking part for the first time.

Karen Markham, who is carnival secretary, is a member of the Ostle family who have been involved for more than 70 years.

"As soon as I heard my son Nathan was going to become a father, I was planning a float that my first grandchild - boy or girl - could be on," she admitted.

And Lyla Markham, seven months, will indeed be on the float as the fourth generation Ostle.

Linda Hunter, mother of Ann Ostle and Linda Moore, loved the carnival and was Britannia herself when she was 12-years-old.

"That does make us fifth generation," said Mrs Moore.

"We were in the carnival from when we were little."

Flimby Carnival will be held on Saturday and, once again, organisers are ensuring that the focus is on children.

Wristbands, costing £2 each, are available to buy. They will entitle the children to as many goes as they want on free activities on the rugby field following the parade.

These include several bouncy inflatables, the Wave Centre's mobile Clip 'n' Climb and last year's popular Laser Maze. The only activities not free are the rides provided by Taylor's Fun Fair, which are coming from Dumfries.

There is an entertaining bonus for adults, too. Sneaky Finch, headlining at Maryport's Glassonbury later in the evening, will be performing at the carnival from 3pm to 5pm followed by popular local entertainer Jania.

Cream teas will be served this year to celebrate the recent Royal wedding.

This is both in a bid to attract some of the town's older residents to the field and because of a donation of jam and cream from the Cream Tea Society.

The scones have been provided by West House, keeping the carnival local.

Mrs Markham said: "We are able to offer as much as possible for as little as possible because of the donations we have had from people, especially Maryport Town Council, the Flimby Windfarm committee and local resident Mark Varty who ran a gentleman's evening and other fundraising events."

Judging of the carnival entries begin at 1pm and entries are asked to be at Flimby School by 12.30pm

Roads in the village will be closed from 12 noon to about 3pm. They will open as soon as possible. Roads affected are: Ryehill Road, St Helen's Avenue, St Nicholas Avenue and West Lane.