AN ANNUAL carnival will still go ahead this year - virtually.

Prestatyn Carnival have had to cancel their event due to the Covid-19 Pandemic but instead, the association plan to host an online event on Saturday, July 18.

This will run between 12pm and 4pm on Facebook.

On the day, 'live' items will streamed from private gardens.

These include Professor Magico, who will host live from his garden as he entertains his family with Punch and Judy, the crowning of Queen Alyssa, Princess Seren-Mai and Prince Tyler of Prestatyn, from their individual gardens, and a trip down memory lane with video presentations.

Garden Den will also be going 'live' during the afternoon with party dances.

Organiser Joy Williams, from Prestatyn Carnival Association, said: "We knew about April we would have to cancel. We didn't know how long lockdown was going to go for.

"We put our thinking caps on and we've come up with the virtual carnival day. It is still being planned and items are being confirmed as we speak.

"We are confirming to all Welsh Government guidelines. It is not being run to create an atmosphere in the street."

Steve Ashcroft, president elect of the North Wales Magic Circle, based in Prestatyn, will be performing.

There will also be other entertainment.

Joy added: "We will also have 'memory lane' looking at the past 25 years.

"These will be short video presentation released throughout the day."

Cllr Tony Flynn, mayor of Prestatyn, will be in attendance when the three young representatives around crowned. He will be socially distancing and standing at the garden gates.

Charities will be supported on the day including North Clwyd Animal Rescue, Cuddles, Prestatyn and Meliden Foodbank, Awyr Las and WCD Young Carers.

This will be part of a 'gunge monkey' event. People will be able to donate and in turn, these will count as votes.

Residents are being encouraged to dress up in fancy dress, take photos in their gardens and share them on the carnival Facebook page.

Prestatyn Town Council have sponsored this element. There will be a £100 prize for best costume of the day and £50 runner up.

For further details and to follow events on the day, search Prestatyn Carnival Association on Facebook or @prestatyncarnival