A VILLAGE carnival will be extra special this year as it celebrates its 40th anniversary.

Great Bentley Carnival has not missed a year since it was launched four decades ago.

Organisers are pulling out all the stops to make this year’s event one of the best.

Carnival chairman Brenda Eyers said: “We think this is an amazing achievement and we are possibly the only village in Essex that still has a carnival queen and court and a full carnival.

“Our 40th carnival queen is the beautiful Elle Jose, and her princesses are Lillie King and Erin and Megan Maunton, supported by Prince Ben Rose-Newell.”

Brenda is expecting a large number of visiting carnival queens from as far away as Dover, as well as closer to home, including Clacton and Walton.

The procession – including majorettes and the Brightlingsea Brigade Band – sets off from Plough Road industrial estate on June 27 at 12.30pm and winds its way through the village to the village green.

Carnival arena events include the Jane Morton Memorial Cup dance competition, a tug-of-war and the Tailwaggers display team.

There will also be a fun fair from Thursday to Saturday evening, stalls, games and a silent auction.

Money raised will be shared between children’s organisations in the village.

  • More tug-of-war teams are needed. For details, call Brenda on 07813 694487.