Baildon Gala bosses are hoping World Cup fever will help turn this year's event into a huge success.

Unveiling plans for July's gala - the biggest event in the village calendar - Baildon and District Round Table have revealed this year's theme will be the World Cup.

And they are calling on villagers to get involved with the gala, which is being held on the eve of the final, and make sure it is a true community event.

Proceeds from the carnival - due to be held in the grounds of Belmont Middle School on Saturday, July 11 - will benefit Children's Wish, Round Table's nationally adopted charity for the year which helps send terminally ill youngsters on dream holidays to destinations such as Disney World.

Some of the cash may also go to the group's Fix-It Campaign which aims to assist worthy local causes by lending a helping hand.

Arena attractions will be announced later in the year and the event will include a fancy dress and float parade from the village centre to the West Lane school.

The Table's community services officer, Graham Iles, said: "It's an international theme to tie in with the World Cup and we're hoping people will enter floats in the parade to represent some of the countries which have qualified for France '98.''

Meanwhile, the Round Table is appealing for people wanting to run a stall during the gala to get in touch - charity groups will not be charged, with proceeds from the commercial stallholders rent boosting the event's charity purse.

Despite wet weather last year the gala generated £5,000 for worthy causes.

Mr Iles said: "This is the one opportunity for people to really feel as if they're part of the village.

"To tie in with the World Cup we're also hoping to have a football tournament and hope to attract a celebrity to open it.

"The gala is run for the people of Baildon and the more they get involved in the day the bigger and better it will be.''

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