STOURBRIDGE stalwart David Hickman will be opening this year's town carnival - which is celebrating its 21st birthday.

Plans for the traditional family fun day - taking place in Stourbridge Town Centre on Sunday July 6 - are already gathering pace.

Stalls are being snapped up quickly, and the parade - which will feature an Olympics theme this year in honour of the 2008 Games in Beijing - looks set to bigger and better than ever.

Organiser David Harcourt said: "Plans are coming together very well.

"As the carnival is 21 this year and creating a bit of history we have invited David Hickman, a local and notable historian to open this year's event.

"The parade is receiving great interest - and the stall spaces are being snapped up quickly; they are always an important part of the carnival, enabling groups to raise funds for their causes."

Sports and fitness clubs are being urged to join in the fun, which will include a fun fair, displays, a host of stalls, craft fair, dog show, face-painting, Morris dancers, street entertainers, dancing groups, demonstrations, singers, bands, birds of prey, competitions, and a classic car display in Lower High Street.

The popular Carnival Princess competition will be judged at 10.30am on the day.

And the traditional parade around the town will kick off just after 12.30pm.

Trophies will be awarded to all the winners.

Anyone still wishing to have a stall at the event, or get involved with this year's carnival, can call David Harcourt on 01384 378209.