A touch of Rio is coming to Bedlington.

Bedlington Carnival parade for the Olympic Torch.

The town of Bedlington is gearing up for the arrival of the Olympic Torch.

Determined not to be left behind as the Olympic Torch passes through the county and onto their streets, social enterprise Leading Link, the Bedlingtonshire Development Trust (BDT) and the Salvation Army have started developing plans together to ensure this once in a lifetime event will be one to be remembered in Bedlington.

The main focus of the plans is a fantastic carnival parade preceding the Torch procession, which will feature a giant Bedlington Terrier, clowns and street performers, a brass band, dancing and cheerleading to name but a few.

Malcolm Robinson, Chair of the BDT said: "With over 2500 young people, families and community residents lining the main thoroughfare of Front Street, the group felt that we had to ensure that the momentum and excitement of this historic event is captured and remembered as being a truly great day for us all here in Bedlington."

The organising team are working with the West Bedlington Town Council, local schools and local providers and hope to involve as much of the community as possible.

The most ambitious part of the plans is to create a massive "˜walking' Bedlington Terrier along the lines of a Chinese Dragon and so the hunt is on to find some artists willing to help create this centrepiece.

The thoughts behind it is that children and young people representing each of the Bedlington schools will come together to bring the Terrier to life on the day.

There is also a big call for anyone who can play a brass instrument to come forward to join the band walking down Front Street.

There are several band practices planned before the event to ensure the music is heard for miles around, however you must bring your own instrument.

( I think we used to do this some years ago!)

The parade will culminate in the market place where we hope there will be several exhibition stalls and a "˜Town Crier' giving spectators updates on the progression of the torch.

The whole event is being covered by St Benet Biscop Catholic High School's BBC Roving School Reporters who have a website link directly to the BBC. The BBC have specifically asked this group of reporters to cover the run up to the day, during and after the event so we are certain they will have a lot to report.

If any local groups or individuals would like to take part in the carnival parade or help with the preparations, please contact Lyn Horton at Leading Link on 01670 820088 or email lyn.horton@leadinglink.co.uk.