Organisers of the Ilkley Carnival are promising the “biggest and best” event yet this year after revealing the backing of more big names.

Masterchef finalist Tom Rennolds will be on hand to present prizes at the carnival, to be held on Monday, May 7, and will be joined on stage by the Lord Mayor of Bradford and Keighley MP Kris Hopkins.

The former Ilkley Grammar School pupil, right, is hoping to make it as a chef after reaching the final on the popular television programme and will present the “Olympian” trophy to the winning hospitality team at the carnival.

“Ilkley is an incredibly important place to me and I’m touched to have been asked to play a part in the annual carnival and I’m only too happy to offer my support,” said the 26-year-old.

Meanwhile, supermarket giants Morrisons and Bettys and Taylors of Harrogate have also offered support to the carnival.

Bettys is supplying prizes for the children’s painting competition winners, joining in the annual shop window dressing competition and offering a year’s free supply of Yorkshire Tea worth £75 for a draw, which can be entered only when buying tickets before the event.

Morrisons supermarket has signed up as sponsor of the carnival arena.

Carnival committee chairman Andrew Stacey said: “We’re absolutely delighted with the level of support we’re experiencing for this year’s event with the retailer backing celebrity appearances, local venues volunteering to kickstart a truly unique Olympics event in our arena and the recent offer of a martial arts demonstration from Ilkley’s Taerigi-Do group.

“With this sort of backing, there’s going to be an extra special atmosphere on May Day in Ilkley this year.

“With live music provided from The Concetines, SouthWest and Five Dollar Shoes, the comfort of the Ilkley Brewery beer tent, money off vouchers available in the carnival brochure for Marshalls funfair and more trade, activity and food stalls than we’ve ever had on the field before, we’ve every confidence that this will be our biggest and best Ilkley Carnival yet.”

The parade which is showcasing vibrant costumes from 600 to 800 local school pupils in “The Summer of Celebration” themed procession, will leave Grove Road at 11.30am and move along The Grove, Brook Street, New Brook Street and Denton Road, finishing at East Holmes Field at noon when the carnival ground officially opens.

Carnival tickets are on sale at Top Marks in the Moors Shopping Centre, at Shoe Bee Doo shoe shop on Hawksworth Street and at Ilkley Tourist Information Centre at £3 per adult and £1 per child.