ORGANISERS of this year’s Barton Bash have been working flat out to ensure all is well for Saturday’s big event.

The annual celebration will be held outside the Neighbourhood Centre in Underhill Circus.

Face painting, fun inflatables, and popular pottery workshops will all return this year, alongside martial arts displays, dance routines and DJ sets.

Organiser Sue Holden said there had been a last minute surge of people volunteering to man stalls at the Bash.

She added: “It has been manic, absolutely manic.

“We’ve had all sorts of people saying they would be interested in holding a stall – including one local man who makes clocks and jewellery – all things we haven’t had before.

“We’re all set to go, we just need the rain to stay away.

“I have checked the forecast and we’ve all got our fingers crossed.

“If it rains we will just have to move inside, and take the sunshine with us there.”

The Barton Bash was launched five years ago to replace the estate’s annual carnival. Last year, almost 1,000 people went along.

This year, the family orientated event will include old favourites such as the Straw- berry Fayre Majorettes, Barton artist Wayne Clack, who will be drawing people’s caricatures, and a performance by a local girls’ drama group about teenage pregnancy and drugs.

A special World Cup screening area has also been set up in the Neighbourhood Centre, so people keen to watch England’s first match against the USA can do so in comfort.

The Redeemed Christian Church, Christ’s Love Assembly, which is based at the Neighbourhood Centre, will return again this year.

Christiana Tolani, from the church, said: “We will be back manning stalls and helping out at the bash. It is a wonderful community event.”

The Bash runs from noon to 5pm and all are welcome.