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A HOST of high-flying events have been lined up to thrill the crowds as part of this year's new-look Weymouth Carnival.

A helicopter ball drop competition and a wingwalking team will be jetting in for the three-day spectacular starting on August 18.

Sky Lotto, a new event for this year's carnival, is a lottery with a difference as the winner is decided by two low-flying helicopters aiming up to 15,000 numbered balls at a target in Weymouth Bay.

Punters will be able to purchase a ball and if they answer a question correctly their ball will be included in the drop.

After an aerial display from the helicopters, Howie the carnival bear will then release the balls from above the bay and the closest ball to the target will win the top prize of £4,000.

There will also be runner-up prizes for the next six closest balls to the target including a holiday break for two and vouchers for a helicopter ride.

Sky Lotto will be in the town centre for all three days of the carnival for people to enter and the drop will take place at 8pm on August 20.

The daring Team Guinot will be performing an exciting new wingwalking manoeuvre.

The move called the Guinot Goose' will see the team of female airborne acrobats leave the safety of their harnesses to sit on the edge of the top wing of their 1940s biplane.

Team leader Vic Norman: "The new move truly demonstrates the talent of our wingwalkers. The girls have literally taken wingwalking acrobatics to new heights. It takes exceptional ability and strength to complete the move and the crowd won't be disappointed."

Lucy Walker, 21, who created the manoeuvre, said: "I feel as free as a bird sitting on the edge."

Team Guinot's Boeing Stearman biplanes will also be performing a sequence of loops, rolls and turns while the wingwalkers strut their stuff in the display scheduled for the main carnival day on August 20.

Also among the sky high entertainment at this year's carnival will be the RAF Red Arrows, the London Fire Brigade parachute display team and the Battle of Britain Spitfire display.

Back on the ground events will include a fire engine pull, tug-of-war, sandcastle sculpting competition and the Grand Parade, which will be a green parade this year with no motorised floats.

8:54am Thursday 24th July 2008

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