ORGANISERS of the annual Whit weekend carnival parade through Richmond are offering a cash prize to tempt more entries.

The Richmond Meet programme has recovered well since the dark days of the foot-and-mouth crisis in 2001 - except for the number of floats taking part in the Bank Holiday Monday procession.

This year, £1,000 will go to the best, with more prizes on offer in ten different categories. Organiser Paul Hadden said there was no theme. "Just build something better than anyone else and you will win the top prize."

Charities, churches, clubs and businesses are all welcome, and pubs compete for a cup of their own. There is a carnival fancy dress section, so individual entries are also welcome.

More details are available by telephoning (01748) 823989.