Carnival fever comes to Ottery tomorrow (Saturday) as crowds are expected to line the streets for the popular event.

At 2pm, the royal party will be crowned in The Institute. Taking on the duties this year will be Mia Kelly as Queen and princesses Holly Keen and Rihanna Hutchinson, who succeed Hannah Rugg, Freya Bailey and Millie Gething.

Visitors attending the event will need to avoid Barrack Road as it will be closed between Kings Cross and the Strawberry Lane junction from 4pm.

Residents in Thorne Farm Way will be allowed out through the closure. Roads leading into town will be closed between 7pm and 10pm. The procession route will start at 7.30pm from Barrack Road and the Finnimore industrial estate, heading up through the town into Mill Street, Broad Street and Jesu Street before finishing in Yonder Street.

The evening will feature a spectacular fireworks finale at 9.15pm in the Land of Canaan.

Following the carnival, attention turns to the town’s tar barrel night on Saturday, November 4.

Roads will shut from 3.45pm to ensure safety to the thousands of visitors expected to arrive in town during the day.

Motorists are asked to park in either the car park on Barrack/Exeter Road or at Ottery Football Club in Butts Road, which will open from 3pm. Parking costs £10.

The route starts at Butts Hill, which this year has a dedicated taxi drop-off and collection point, and goes down Ridgeway and Kennaway Road, which both have parking restrictions on them.

It will then continue down Chineway Road, Slade Road, Longdogs Lane and the Sidmouth Road, at the top of Tiphill.

An event spokeswoman said: “Once you’re in, please watch the barrel movements at all times. They can and will change direction at any point.

When the barrels approach please do not run away, take a step back and lean away.

The barrel rollers are not aiming at you they are just trying to carry the barrel as far as they can.”

Visit www.tarbarrels.co.uk for more information.