THE second Thirsk Festival is getting into full swing today at the start of a nine-day series of events.

Organisers are aiming to build on the huge success of last year's festival.

The climax of the festival is a carnival a week tomorrow, with a procession of floats from the town centre to Sowerby Flatts at 1pm, as well as a bed race to the flatts.

The carnival, which runs from 11am to 4pm, also includes a tug of war, a parachute display, fire and rescue display, a hot air balloon, a fairground, music and dancers and a miniature railway.

The festival raises cash for Rotary Club charities. It gets under way with Sowerby Gala today, at Manor Farm from 10.30am to 5pm, while the Royal British Legion Band will give a concert in Thirsk Town Hall from 7.30pm tonight.

A puppet show is being staged in Sowerby Parochial Hall tomorrow from 2.30pm, organised by Rural Arts North Yorkshire and St Columba's Church hosts a concert by Topcliffe Choir from 6.30pm.

Other events include a summer serenade staged by Northallerton Variety Company on Monday at Thirsk Town Hall, which also hosts concerts by the Terry Lightfoot Jazz Band on Thursday and the Merseysippi Jazz Band on Friday.

Next Saturday sees silver bands and classic vehicles on Sowerby Flatts, as well as Sutton Poultry Show.

l Details of all events are available from Thirsk's tourist information centre and tickets are available from Tavea, White Rose Books and Bright Ideas, all in the Market Place.