Retailers and schools in Aireborough are being urged to back this year's Yeadon Carnival to make it a big success.

The annual event is being organised by Steve Maw and this year he has big plans to put it on the map by encouraging local youngsters to get involved.

The father-of-six said: "We want to get a procession down the High Street again. I would like to bring some kind of show to it this year.

"A lot of areas have shows and we thought it would be a good idea to encourage the children from local schools to get involved.

"We would like the local schools to design something for it which they can bring together on the day. Hopefully we will produce a programme and we will get some sponsorship.

"The problem we had with the carnival last year was that we did not have any support from the local traders and we need to try and address that this year.

"We would like them to get more involved and decorate their windows."

Mr Maw spoke at the Aireborough Community Involvement Team last Thursday and successfully gained the support of members.

He also held the first carnival meeting last Thursday and is confident of its success this year.

"The meeting went really well," he said.

"The carnival is definitely going ahead, the CIT is going to back me and so is the Yeadon Methodist Church.

"We are hoping to put on some kind of show involving local children and the church will be letting us use the hall.

"We are going to have a steel band like last year and we will be trying to get local groups to take part. It was very encouraging.

"We want to appeal for all the retailers and all the schools to get involved.

"At a school governors meeting last year I was told that the carnival had been cancelled and as it was the Queen's golden jubilee we felt it needed to be celebrated.

"So I took it upon myself to do it on behalf of the school.

"I actually did it all on my own because Yeadon Methodist Church's organiser was on holiday," he said.

"We held a procession down the High Street to the entrance of the field and the CIT supported me financially.

"This year we still need people to get involved, but it is looking quite promising at the moment."

Chairman of Aireborough CIT Councillor Graham Latty said: "Last year Steve Maw brought it back to life and he did it all on his own, this year he needs someone to help him get it along.

"Lets hope we have a cracking carnival this year. We should keep it going and not let it fall into disuse."

The Yeadon carnival is due to take place on Saturday, July 5, anyone wanting to get involved can contact Steve Maw on 0794 1153654.