Summer carnival facing the chop

Carnival bosses say the event's long-term future hangs in the balance after an extremely low number of entries in Saturday's procession and a big drop in spectators resulted in only £895.89 being collected for town charities. Normally, well over £1,000 is collected during the parade.

"We were very disappointed at the lack of entries, but the standards of those that did take part were very good,"said carnival spokesman, Pete Lomer, promising the committee would do all it can to try and save the event.

"We don't know whether it was because of the weather or people were away on holiday, or what the reason was, but hardly anybody turned up and took part in the carnival.

"It might be that public liability insurance is putting people off taking part with motorised floats, but they don't have to have a lorry to join in. We are going to have to give serious consideration as to whether we stage the carnival next year,"

However, he made it clear that, without the support of townspeople and business, the decades-old summer carnival's days were numbered. There were only four motorised floats in the parade, the lowest for many years.

Mr Lomer added: "It's no good people moaning that there wasn't much in the procession. They need to take part themselves. There is a big question mark over the carnival's long-term future. It's the case of support it or lose it. Charities in the town will suffer if it goes.

Romsey's deputy mayor, Karen Dunleavey, was one of the carnival judges. Mrs Dunleavey, who is a member of the town council, which sponsored the two charter-themed classes in the show, said it was disappointing there were only a few entries in the parade, but the people who did take part had done a "brilliant" job.

"A lot of effort has gone into those floats. The 6th Brownies float was absolutely excellent and they put a lot of thought into it. I watch Nomads getting their float ready and it was something to behold," said the deputy mayor.