Hold on to your hats and umbrellas at the ready as Midsomer Norton’s Carnival takes place this evening, starting at Charlton Road from half past seven.

It will travel down Silver Street and up Midsomer Norton High Street, with the last cart crossing the finish line on Radstock Road (Wishford Mews) at 10 p.m.

Road closures and parking suspensions will apply along the whole procession – please be aware that the High Street will be closed from 5.30 p.m. this afternoon.

The route is shorter this year, after last year’s mammoth effort to include Westfield, Radstock and Midsomer Norton came to a very soggy end, with torrential rain causing problems for carts climbing Wells Hill in Radstock, and Westfield not seeing a carnival at all. This year, professional event organisers, Running High, who organise the Bath Half Marathon, have been drafted in, and along with the Midsomer Norton and District Carnival Association, will be hoping for a much drier night, with a shorter route concentrating on Midsomer Norton.

In its 41st year, this is the largest community event in the area, and it is hoped that the thousands of people who excitedly lined the streets last year will turn out again. In 2014 almost £7,500 was raised for local charities and community groups in the area.

Rolling road closures will start with the closure of the High Street (5.30 p.m. – midnight), with the A367 Wells Road Fosseway from White Post roundabout to First Avenue and Charlton Lane from A367 Wells Road Fosseway to Second Avenue closed from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m., Charlton Road and Silver Street will be closed from 7 p.m. – 9.45 p.m., Radstock Road from 8 p.m. – 10.30 p.m., with further closures from Wishford Mews on Radstock Road to A367 Wells Road Fosseway until 1.30 a.m. as the carts disperse. Please be aware that some footpaths may also be closed, particularly in the Silver Street area.

Despite being organised by volunteers, this year’s event has cost £40,000 to run and with rising health and safety compliance costs, the event will only survive with local residents’ support.