THE fair is in town and the carnival is just around the corner.

For the 101st year of Sidmouth visits, Anderton and Rowland Fairground Company has set up on the Ham. It will be open 6pm daily until Friday and from 2pm on Saturday – ahead of the carnival that evening.

It has one of the top 10 adrenalin-fuelled rides in the country, Freak Out, along with a family ride called Jumping, dodgems, waltzers and a big wheel.

Owner Simon De-Vey is the fifth generation of his family to run the fair, and has written a book on the history of it. He said his son George is keen to get involved too.

Simon’s great-great-grandfather Professor Albert Anderton drowned in the River Sid on its first ever visit to Sidmouth. The town’s businesses closed on the day of his funeral as a mark of respect, and he is buried in Sidmouth.

Although they tour all over the South West, Simon has a soft spot for Sidmouth. “We always look forward to coming here,” he said. “It’s a beautiful town.”

The carnival procession sets off from Woolbrook Road at 7.30pm, and will make its way down to the seafront, finishing at the Triangle. There are 35 entries, including Sid Vale Carnival Club and Axminster Young Farmers.

Carnival Queen Nikita McClean, will lead off in Tom Griffiths’ vintage charabanc. The 12-year-old from Otterton raised �250 in her bid to be queen.

The carnival committee has �2,000 in prize money to give away, with categories including humorous, youth and under 30ft.

Committee chairman Terry Clarke said: “It should be a good night. Thanks to Skinner Construction for removing the scaffolding from one of its projects to allow the floats to get by.”