THIS year's Kendal Torchlight Procession will see more than 2,000 people taking part in the annual parade.

Organisers promise that the 33rd event will be better than ever and that the theme Anniversaries and Celebrations has provided entrants with much food for thought.

This year there will be none of the usual TV celebrities - instead children's favourite Peter Rabbit will be celebrating his 100th birthday in style as he greets the crowds from the back seat of a Jaguar.

Among the 125 entries are the Furness-based Barracudas.

The exotic carnival display band, who are no strangers to the procession, wind up a hectic national tour after performances at the Notting Hill Carnival, Manchester Commonwealth Games and the Queen's Golden Jubilee Celebrations earlier this year.

Affected roads will close at 6.45pm and the event kicks off at 7pm when entertainers will bring the car-free streets to life as jugglers, musicians, dancers and mime artists perform for the crowds.

The main procession begins at 7.45pm from the K Village Outlet Shop, Lound Road, and this year's charity partner the Royal National Lifeboats will be selling programmes and taking a street collection.

See our Photogallery section for pictures from last year's event.