TO mark the 120th Carnival to take place in Bishop's Castle in July, Karen Bavastock is working hard to finalise her third and final book on the history of this much-loved event which has taken place in the town for so many years.

Karen, a former mayor of Bishop's Castle, has already produced a general book on the history of the carnival which has almost sold out and, in 2013, produced the second book which concentrated on carnivals from the 1920s to 1989 and featured carnival queens and kings.

Her third book, which will bring the story up to the present day, is nearing completion and is virtually ready to go to print.

“I am working really hard to ensure that the last book is as comprehensive as it possibly can be," said Karen.

"I have sent lots of messages out to people on Facebook and phone calls asking for names of attendants and copies of any photographs which are missing from the book. People have been really supportive and I hope they are able to get them to me in time before the book goes to print.

“The carnival committee have kindly agreed to fund the printing of the third book and all sales and profits will be given to the carnival.”

As part of the research, at the 2012 carnival Karen gathered as many carnival queens as possible for a commemorative photograph. It was thought that there were more than 20 former carnival queens on the field on that day.

At last year’s carnival, Beryl Griffiths visited the carnival and she was the 1973 British Legion Queen.

It is hoped that plenty of visitors will attend this year’s carnival where the book will be launched on Sunday, July 2.