WITNEY’S Croc Man Shaun Foggett will open the town’s carnival next month.

The event takes place on The Leys on Saturday, July 13, and will feature family entertainment, music and a colourful procession of floats through the town centre.

It will be the third year Mr Foggett, who owns the sanctuary Crocodiles of the World, at Crawley Mill, will have opened the carnival.

He said: “I joked last year that I was going for the hat-trick.

“I don’t think anyone has ever done it three times, so I feel very honoured.

“For local people the carnival is really important, it brings everyone together and supports work to raise money for local charities.

“To be asked to be involved in that is a huge privilege.”

But Mr Foggett, who will take four or five crocodiles to the carnival to show to visitors, said he did not know yet how he was going to make the opening ceremony different from previous years.

Carnival committee chairman Ron Spurs said: “Shaun Foggett is extremely popular with young people.

“He’s probably one of the most successful ventures in West Oxfordshire that makes a connection with young people, and the carnival’s principal aim is to appeal to young people.”

He added: “The carnival committee has been meeting since October and this year we’re planning the biggest and best carnival ever, with lots of attractions which will please all age groups in the family.”

The event will feature a tug-of-war competition, dog show, donkey derby, children’s entertainment from Chunkie Russell and Mr Alexander’s Travelling Show and performances from Oxford Caledonian Pipes and Drums and members of the Messy Jam Dance School.

The procession of floats featuring schools, clubs, groups, pubs and businesses from Witney will make its way around the town from The Leys at 11am.

The carnival will then be opened by Mr Foggett at 12.15pm in The Leys.

Programmes for the carnival, which is sponsored by the Witney Gazette, are now available around the town.

The free event is jointly organised by the town’s Rotary and Lions Clubs and Round Table, with all the proceeds going to local good causes that the groups support.