THE members of the new court have been crowned by the Mayor of Basildon and are ready for this weekend's Basildon and Pitsea Carnival which returns after two years.

The court crowning ceremony took place last weekend in a barn at Wat Tyler Park, attended by the mayor and other councillors.

Queen Aaliyah, Princess’s Freya and Caitlyn, Deputy Princess Kadie-Leigh and Little Miss Darcie are now ready for their first job in the procession at the carnival parade this Saturday, July 23.

It moves off at noon from De La Salle School in Ghyllgrove, travelling along Ghyllgrove until turning left into Whitmore Way, incorporating a mass of floats, baton twirling majorettes, other courts and drummers.

The parade will travel the length of Whitmore Way and then cross the roundabout and finish at Northlands Park, Pitsea. at 1.30pm.

Meanwhile at Northlands Park, Basildon, the annual Carnival Festival will be taking place, starting at 11.30am and running until 6pm.

An abundance of stalls, live entertainment, go-karts and more are promised at the fun family event.

Chairman Stuart Terson said: "I am delighted that we can once again being running the parade and festival - 2019 seems such a long time ago.

"It's been hard as so many groups and clubs have shut down since the Covid19 pandemic but we are looking forward to new groups joining us.

"In the parade we have Basildon Heritage, Basildon Twinning Association, Belson's School of Motoring, 360, Falun Dafa UK waist drummers, Courts from Wickford, Witham, Stanford and others, majorettes troupes and more.

"On the stage there will be performers from Jamie Leigh, Jasmine Somer, Santoy Dance, Wickford Majorettes, Horizon 5, BMAKG karate club, Aston Avery and more.

"We have over 45 Stalls, a children’s fun fair, food and drink stalls, trampolines, kids go karts, ponies, a circus skills workshop and much more!"

To find out more visit facebook.com/basildonandpitseacarnival