ROCK and roll both on the big screen and in front of it will be boosting the coffers of the county’s biggest event.

Cowley Road Works, the team behind the Cowley Road Carnival, is in the midst of preparing for the summer extravaganza in East Oxford on Sunday, July 5.

The group has raised more than £54,000 of its £120,000 target but, with less than three months to go, organisers said more support was still needed.

Rock band Balloon Ascents has now joined with East Oxford’s Ultimate Picture Palace to host a fundraising gig and showing of cult film This is Spinal Tap next Wednesday (april29).

Lead singer of the five-piece band Thomas Robert, 19, said: “The carnival has been part of our lives for quite a long time really. We always go.

“We just felt like this was the right thing to do. If we can help it go ahead, I think that’s a good thing.”

Visitors to the Jeune Street cinema will be treated to a 35mm screening of 1984 cult film This is Spinal Tap, which follows the story of a fictional British heavy metal band Spinal Tap.

Balloon Ascents will then take to the stage with an acoustic set, before previewing their new music video to the audience for the first time.

A raffle and fancy dress contest will also take place during the evening.

Mr Roberts, of East Oxford, said the band enjoyed playing at last year’s carnival and jumped at the chance to support this summer’s event.

He added: “The carnival is always diverse. There is just everything going on there.

“You can just walk down the street and there’s all the different food and all the different music and it’s just a big party that everyone is invited to. It’s probably the best carnival in the world.”

And it is the third year the 104-year-old Ultimate Picture Palace has opened its doors to help raise cash for the Cowley Road Carnival.

Owner Becky Hallsmith said: “We love supporting the organisation who produces our favourite street party.

“We are really lucky to have an event in Oxford that brings together the community in such a way.”

Cowley Road Works executive director Danielle Battigelli added: “Carnival is all about celebrating the community and the Ultimate Picture Palace provides a typically quirky amenity with a unique spirit which is quintessential to the Cowley Road area.

“We are delighted that the cinema is supporting the carnival once again this year.”

Earlier this year, organisers revealed Oxford Brookes University and charity The Patsy Wood Trust would be sponsoring this year’s carnival, with details of deals kept confidential.

Oxford City Council has also contributed £30,000 towards the festivities.

The event will start at 8.30pm and tickets costs £12.

See uppcinema.com/film/this-is-spinal-tap-balloon-ascents