The Ugly Bug Ball set to light up Sharrow

The beloved annual community event, now in it’s 13th year, will be held on Sunday and more than 3000 people are expected to turn out.

Luisa Golob, managing director of Creative Action Network, which organises and oversees the running of the carnival, said: “Over the past two months a strange phenomenon has taken place at the Old Junior School in Sharrow. We have seen a bunch of willow and tissue paper transformed into the most magnificent bugs, creepy crawlies and imaginative creations so far!

“It never fails to surprise me how the whole community gets behind this event. We always start off a bit slow and then all of a sudden, we have this explosion of creativity. This year it literally has been a hive of activity.

“What is particularly nice is seeing some regular faces as well as new ones.”

The carnival kicks off at 7.30pm on Sunday at Mount Pleasant Park, with an after-party at The Cremorne pub. For those who would still like to make a lantern, a free workshop will be held at St Mary’s Church on Bramall Lane on Wednesday from 6pm to 9pm.