THE final touches are being applied to the biggest ever Halesowen Carnival and Music Festival which rolls into town next month.

Organisers have been busy finalising preparations for the event, which will take place on July 1 at Highfield Park from 12noon to 6pm.

This year’s event is extended across two fields and will run for an extra two hours, following public demand.

As well as a host of live musicians and fun attractions, the carnival will also feature a food and drink festival to add to the diversity of the event.

Last month, the carnival’s Royal Family was chosen with Labique Ahmed and Meggan Griffin unveiled as King and Queen while Princess Olivia Hanks and Prince Henry Torrington making up the cohort.

Youngsters aged 11 and under will have the chance to win prizes during the teddy bears’ picnic, which is also a first for this year’s event.

It will be held in the main arena at 2.30pm and prizes will be given for a host of categories including best dressed, nicest named, cutest, most unusual and best non-named teddy – all to be judged by the carnival royalty.

Carnival chairman Stuart Henley said: “Each year we see this event grow in attendance so we look at different ways to keep all entertained.

“So apart from live music throughout the whole day, we have Jones fair attending, amazing local dance groups Danse Vivante and Canon dance academy that will also be teaching others some of their moves, a free to enter dog show and, for the first time this year, we have the teddy bears picnic.”