A NUMBER of town centre road closures will be put in place to safeguard partakers and spectators of Ulverston Lantern Festival.

Organisers of event are warning residents and visitors that the town centre will be closed to all traffic on Saturday evening to safeguard families taking part in the procession and the thousands of spectators expected to gather as the River of Light moves through the streets.

They are also warning pet owners to keep their animals safe inside between 9pm and 9.30pm while the huge firework display takes place at Ford Park, and are appealing to spectators to bring cash for donations to ensure the festival continues to brighten the streets of Ulverston.

A formal road closure order authorised by South Lakeland District Council will be in place between 7pm and 10pm in Ulverston Town Centre. 

The festival will be going ahead with the addition of a special tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and one minute of remembrance on the field at Ford Park before the firework display.

The organising committee decided to go ahead with the event as planned and workshops this weekend and through the week after an overwhelmingly positive response on the Lanterns Facebook page.

Big lanterns will lead each of the four processions which will come together outside The Coro in County Square around 8pm, before combining into one big procession making its way up to Ford Park for the big firework finale starting at 9pm.

The organisers are still looking for extra volunteers to help steward the processions and man the barriers which will close roads around the town centre from around 6.30pm to 9.30pm, to ensure the safety of those taking part and the crowds attending the Festival.

Volunteers please contact Chris Nelson on 07761 930627 or email chris@trafalgar-pr.co.uk