MALMESBURY Carnival organisers are hoping the warm summer weather continues as they launch a month of fun in the town.

Outdoor events including a jazz gig, Music on the Mead and a production of the Pirates of Penzance are all on the programme along with the ever popular Petticoat Lane.

Chairman Kate Waterfield said: “We’re praying that the good weather continues throughout the carnival.”

A performance by the Roaring Fork Wind Quintet got the ball rolling this week and the Athelstan Players’ revue hits the stage at St Mary’s Hall for its three-night run tonight.

Malmesbury Kite Festival takes to the air this weekend while those with a taste for the past can take a walking history tour of the town with former secondary school headteacher and blue badge guide Andrew Butterworth.

The Whole Hog is hosting a chess tournament on Sunday and on Tuesday music fans can take part in a quiz at the Horse Guards at Brokenborough.

Among the highlights this August is folk singer Jim Causley, who is related “Poet Laureate that never was,” Charles Causley. He and bassist Lukas Drinkwater will perform music featuring the poet’s work.

Carnival favourites, the Long Players scratch band will tackle Radiohead’s album The Bends before performing it during the Musical Walkabout on August 16.

Other events include an open gardens trail, Malmesbury Nostalgia and a gig by two-times Musician of the Year in the Radio 2 Folk Awards, Martin Simpson, fresh from his appearance at WOMAD last weekend.

The carnival finale is the procession on August 30. “The procession entries are flooding in so we are hoping for a good one this year,” said Mrs Waterfield.

Visit malmesburycarnival.co.uk for a full programme of events.