Ilkley Carnival will be donating half of any profits raised from this year’s event to help vital environmental work.

The money will go to the charity The Friends of Ilkley Moor. Money raised will help volunteers in their continuing efforts to restore the peatlands of this precious local resource. Research has revealed the moor’s peatland appears to be in decline and some areas are not functioning properly.

Tracy Gray, project officer for The Friends of Ilkley Moor said: “The funds will help us to deliver a project to help restore the peatlands to support our local wildlife. But what’s more, the work will help reduce and prevent flooding by blocking of drainage ditches which flow from the moor into llkley town. And a wet habitat will also help reduce wildfire on the moor to prevent the devastating blazes we’ve seen in recent years.”

Ilkley Carnival takes place on the May Day Bank Holiday, on May 2, starting with a parade at 11am through the town, followed by a fun-filled day of family entertainment on the Carnival showground.

High Speed Training, which is one of the UK’s leading online training providers, is the main Carnival sponsor of this year’s event.

Dan Jordan, Co-Founder and CEO of High Speed Training said: “We are a company with its head office in Ilkley, so supporting a family event which benefits the whole town through the excellent work of The Friends of Ilkley Moor is perfect for us. We have committed to be the main sponsor for three years and are really excited to be involved.”

The moor project is expected to bring other benefits.

Tracy Gray said: “It is also hoped the restoration of the peatland will reverse the recent decline in species of birds previously found on the moor. Our work should help restore the moorland’s wildlife to its previously rich variety.”

The theme of this year’s Carnival is ‘Our Planet’ and Carnival Chairman Andrew Stacey said: “We have undertaken a number of measures to make this year a more environmentally friendly event and this scheme enhances that.”

Further information on Ilkley Carnival, including how to buy advance tickets, can be found on the carnival’s social media or on www.ilkleycarnival.org

The Friends of Ilkley Moor are a registered charity whose aims are to help conserve the heritage of Ilkley Moor. Further information can be found on their website www.ilkleymoor.org