ORGANISERS of a carnival have found themselves mirroring the plot of a blockbuster movie trilogy in their race against time to free a giant whale.

While Hollywood's heroes faced a challenge to Free Willy from captivity, the fate of one float at the Darlington Community Carnival hinges on emergency surgery.

As models created for next weekend's event lined up to publicise the festivities yesterday, Willy the whale, Firth Moor Residents' Association's float centrepiece, was conspicuous by its absence. His construction, aided by professional artists Joe Merrick and Joe Hillier, was completed in the dance studio at Darlington Arts Centre, with youngsters having spent some three weeks building his 25ft frame.

But the young builders had not considered the logistics of getting him through the door.

Carnival organiser Jackie Maddison said: "We can't get him out of the door. Willy will have to have surgery in order to appear on his float."

Explaining that the whale had already had to be moved from Firth Moor Community Centre, she said: "I've already had to rescue him once."

The procession, hopefully with Willy, will start at noon on Saturday at Stanhope Park, travel through the town, and return to the park at 1pm.

A full afternoon of fun starts in the park afterwards, with kite-making, Punch and Judy, brass bands and live music.

Additional events will including a children's entertainer and a treasure hunt on Sunday.