The Square will be transformed into a sandy beach for the day on Wednesday, complete with deckchairs and an ice-cream van.

It is the fourth year running the free event has been held with previous years seeing dinosaurs and pirates descending on Harborough.

This summer's theme is Egyptian and will include an Egyptian colouring competition, a chance to learn hieroglyphics, create an Egyptian mask, listen to stories and follow a 'mummy' street trail around the town's businesses.

It has been organised by Harborough Improvement Team (HiT) with sponsorship from Market Harborough Building Society, Lawson-West solicitors and Harborough's Sainsbury's supermarket.

It has cost about £3,000 to stage and is the first year that sole responsible for funding has fallen on HiT – Leicestershire County Council withdrew its funding this year.

The county council had been given a Government grant for three previous events but that has now expired.

Chris Sewart, HiT's development officer, said: "A bit of Egyptian weather would be fantastic! It's a family event and always attracts people into the town centre.

"By the end of the day you won't be just walking like an Egyptian, you'll be talking like one, writing like one, and thinking like one!"

It runs from 10am to 4pm and a full breakdown of what's on in The Square is as follows:

* Giant sandpit with free bucket and spade on offer. There will be a sandcastle competition with backpacks going to the winners

* A master of ceremonies providing entertainment during the day and the sandpit will be surrounded by deckchairs.

* Colouring in competition of a sphinx and an Egyptian princess. Entries will be put into a countywide competition with books up for grabs to the winners.

* Free face-painting.

* Ice-cream van and watermelons on sale.

* A street trial of 15 clues going via shops in and around the town centre. The first 75 correct entries will win a fez hat.

* Learn how to write your name in hieroglyphics.

* A stall of Egyptian artefacts.

* Free Egyptian crafts workshop at Harborough Museum off Adam and Eve Street between 10.30am-3.30pm.