THE final preparations are under way for tomorrow’s Bicester Canival and residents are being urged to turn out and make it a huge success.

For the first time, the event will also mark Armed Forces Day, in tribute to the town’s links with Bicester Garrison, as well as the centenaries of Girl Guiding and the Red Cross.

Soldiers have laid on a host of activities and challenged residents to pit their strength against them in a tug-of-war contest.

Throughout the day, organised by Bicester Town Council, there will be a full programme of entertainment, including dance performances, birds of prey displays, ferret racing and songs from a choir formed by Fijian soldiers serving in the Royal Logistic Corps at Bicester Garrison.

A procession of 10 decorated floats will leave The Cooper School, in Churchill Road, at noon to wind its way along Buckingham Road, North Street, Sheep Street, Market Square, and Causeway to Coker Close.

From 1pm, food stalls, games, craft, cake and plant stalls will be open in the showground, at Bicester Rugby Club, off Oxford Road.

The day will also see an attempt to set a new record for the world’s biggest tombola.

Women’s charity Eve, based at Heyford Park Community Hall, is appealing for people to bring along prizes of all shapes and sizes to donate on the day so they can offer a record 4,500 prizes.

Mayor Richard Mould said: “This is a joint event with members of Bicester Garrison and 23 Pioneer Regiment to celebrate Armed Forces Day.

“The Garrison is very important to Bicester and it’s great that they’re joining us on the carnival field.

“The Army will be bringing a field kitchen and inflatable obstacle course together with the Fijian singers. They will also organise the tug of war, which will run throughout the afternoon, with the final being the last event in the arena.”

Eve Women’s Wellbeing Project is 700 prizes short in their record-breaking tombola bid. Anyone who has tins of food, unwanted gifts or vouchers that could be used as prizes can call 01869 232461.