FINAL preparations are being made for one of Harwich’s most unique events.

The historic Guy Carnival, which celebrates its 160th birthday this year, returns on Saturday.

It started in 1854 as the Shipwrights’ Carnival, when workers at the Royal Navy Shipyard held a procession to commemorate their work.

Some armed themselves with poems and slogans that mocked their employers, which have now evolved into Pithy Pars.

These humorous ditties give the opportunity for carnival crowds to write cryptic messages about lovedones in the event programme.

This act of gentle mocking was also known as guying, and was eventually how the carnival got its new name.

Harwich and Dovercourt Rotary spokesman Ray Price said: “We have some floats confirmed and it is sure to be a good evening.

“It is one of the first times I have organised it, so we will see how it goes.”

As well as the floats, community groups will walk along the route with some wearing huge papier-mache heads.

Those involved in the carnival are asked to meet at 6pm at Tollgate, in Upper Dovercourt, before the procession starts at 6.30pm.

The spectacle then snakes its way along Main Road and through the town centre before ending up in old Harwich about three hours later.

Rotary will collect for local charities in donation buckets along the route.