Covid stilled Carnival's spectacular sights and sounds for two years.

But they will be back, filling Wells city centre this Friday 18th November and one of the highlights will be the special Bridgwater Carnival Jubilee cart that wowed crowds at June's Pageant in London.

"It will be so good to be back," said Wells Carnival President Maurice Day. "We can promise you a great show and ask people to still bring cash for your donations.

This year there are posters around the city with QR codes that people can use to donate £1, £3 or £5 to Wells Carnival through their mobile phones.

All the local carnival clubs will be on parade but the overall number of entries will be 74 rather than the pre-Covid 100 as some clubs from other parts of Somerset have closed.

During the pandemic, they were not able to fundraise and meanwhile costs have risen.

Here are some of the annual costs of Wells Carnival for 2022:

· Road closures £1,400 (paid by carnival for the first time this year)

· A bill from the police is also expected for the first time this year

· Renting halls and feeding judges and stewards £500/600

· Insurance £1,700

· Barriers £800

· Radios £750

"To help cover rising costs the programme will now be £2," said Maurice. "Please buy one.

"We are very grateful to our sponsors and supporters like Unwins Funeral Directors and Tucker Fish & Chips but we need more. If you are interested in becoming one of our sponsors, please email me at [email protected] or phone me on 07383 978470."

One thing that worries the five-strong committee behind Wells Carnival is that recent arrivals in Wells may not know to keep parked cars off the carnival route and, in Maurice's words, "will try to drive through carnival to Tesco for a pint of milk."

Sadly two great carnival characters will not be here to share the spectacle on Friday evening of. Freeman of Wells and carnival secretary Nancy Dodd and Martin Coppell, chief marshal for 20 years, have passed away.