SIDMOUTH S Tango Juvenile Carnival Club goes to Ilminster tomorrow (Saturday) to take part in the second carnival on the South Somerset circuit during a week s break on the East Devon circuit.

SIDMOUTH'S Tango Juvenile Carnival Club goes to Ilminster tomorrow (Saturday) to take part in the second carnival on the South Somerset circuit during a week's break on the East Devon circuit.

The club has doubled the size of its float this year after taking over the DT6 Carnival Club float and has already taken three first prizes in Seaton, Sidmouth and Axminster carnivals.

On Saturday it won second place in the Newton Poppleford carnival.

"We have had our work cut out this year as we only took on the float in April," said Stuart Hughes, Tango captain.

He said part of the agreement with Dave Dear, founder of DT6, was complete the float he had wanted to parade last year but couldn't because of a shortage of members and float builders.

The club's behind the scenes team put together Horror Express, completely revamping the train's engine with lights in the wheels and extending the tender.

Bats in the roof were added and a complete carriage and generator unit built.

"The final result has been well received by Dave and DT6 and it's really nice to be able to pay them a tribute. They did so much for carnival and it is sad to see them fold," said Mr Hughes.

"The kids love the theme, we now have 25 youngsters who want to go on the float. They are the future of carnival if it is to survive in its present form."

Tango has a good selection of float builders and tradesmen. John Beaton from Seaton is its carpenter, Martin Champion from Colyton and Duncan Greenaway from Aylesbeare look after mechanics, Ashley and Grant Miller from Beer are its electronics wizz-kids.

Martin Paver from Sidbury, with many years of carnival experience, can turn his hand to most things and Mr Hughes does all of the painting and art work.

Costumes were designed and made by Jo Hughes, Karen Meacher and Dawn Crockett.

Besides Ilminster carnival, Tango will attend carnivals at Exmouth, Taunton, Honiton, Ottery St Mary, Bridgwater, North Petherton, Burnham on Sea, Wells, Glastonbury, Torquay, Ashburton and South Brent.

Stuart Hughes would be pleased to hear from anyone either wishing to sponsor or to join the club on (01395) 578414.

Any youngsters wishing to join should call Jo Hughes on the same number.

*Our picture, by Herald chief photographer Simon Horn, shows Tango's Horror Express float at Newton Poppleford Carnival on Saturday. See more carnival photos in Friday's issue of the Sidmouth Herald.