A spectacular carnival and fete will take place in Borehamwood next month as the culmination of the borough council's Millennium Arts Festival.

The carnival, on Sunday, September 17, will feature more than 100 professional performers with acts ranging from music to dance and comedy.

Hertsmere 2000 Carnival will also bring together for the first time participants from the many parades which take place across Hertsmere.

The event, supported by lottery funding, will be the main attraction in Hertsmere Borough Council's arts festival, which has been running since April.

Jennifer Wills, the council's arts development officer, said: 'The aim of the festival is to raise the profile of the arts in Hertsmere.

'We want to show people how much is actually going on in the borough, and would like to involve as many arts groups and performers as possible.'

The carnival parade will start at 12 noon in the station car park in Theobald Street, and will move along Shenley Road to Meadow Park, where the fete will be held.

Borough-based performers and arts groups are invited to take part in the carnival procession, set up a free stall or take a slot in an arena at the fete.

Among the attractions at the fete, between 12 noon and 5pm, will be a mini-fairground, fire-eaters, stilt-walkers and steel pan bands.

On the Friday and Saturday before the carnival the Arts Play Umbrella Circus will stage a double-bill of shows in a marquee in Meadow Park.

To take part in the carnival parade or to set up a stall at the arts fete call Jennifer Wills on 020 8207 7519. For details about the circus phone 0589 715743.