CARNIVAL bosses in Clacton have unveiled a packed programme of events for the week-long summer spectacular.

A new Carnival Chaos Wrestling tournament will be one of the big attractions this year.

It features grapple action between ‘Thesexbomb’ Brett Meadows and ‘The Banker’ Marc Lloyd, alongside Jack Toreno and a host of other stars.

The carnival – which was first held in 1920 – kicks off with the traditional procession of floats along the seafront on Saturday, August 11.

It will be led by Clacton’s carnival queen and her princess, who are joined by visiting carnival courts, marching bands and majorettes.

The parade’s theme is ‘through the ages’ and it is raising money for St Helena Hospice’s Tendring day centre and the West Cliff Theatre, which both need cash for improvements.

Outdoor events returning to Alton Park Junior School this year include the charity car boot sale from noon on the Sunday, followed by the Carnival Chaos Wrestling from 4pm.

The school also hosts a donkey derby with a full card of races on the Monday from 6.30pm, and the carnival fete from 5pm on the Thursday with non-stop live music from Blues Brothers tribute Dazman and Howie, covers band INDIGO90s, Amy Winehouse tribute Sammy B, Heaven On Earth, Tony Meloy and the Mad About Theatre Company.

Other carnival week attractions include adventure golf at Martello Bay’s Greensward Café on the Tuesday morning, the sandcastle competition on the Wednesday morning, followed by an egg-throwing contest and beer dig on the West Beach in the evening.

St James’ Church Hall hosts a children’s ‘Through the Ages’ fancy dress competition on the Friday afternoon followed by a fun quiz night in the evening.

The half-marathon, 10k run and a family fancy dress golden mile set off from the Eastcliff greensward on the Sunday morning to bring carnival week to a close.

Carnival spokesman Nicky Freeman said: “There’s a lot going on. We’ve been planning it since January and suddenly it’s here.”

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