WATER is a precious commodity and must not be wasted. That was the message sent out to the public in a "fun way" at Saturday's Hampshire Water Festival, staged in Romsey.

Despite the rain, festival-goers had plenty of fun dabbling in the numerous water-based games and other activities aimed at encouraging people to learn more about ways of saving water.

Environment Agency staff highlighted areas of Romsey under threat from flooding if the River Test and its tributaries burst its banks in exceptional rainfall.

Gail Whitney from the agency said: "It's important people in the town prepare for flooding and make plans so they can leave their home in an emergency. People should keep a flood kit at home containing a torch and batteries, a wind-up or battery radio, medical prescription details, important documents including home insurance details, bottled water and non-perishable items of food and waterproof clothing and blankets."

The agency was also asking visitors for their views on the environment and proposals to build more homes in the Test Valley.

"We were trying to get people to sign up to tackling climate change and give their views on the local environment in Romsey," added her colleague Kim Newton.

Youngsters calling in at the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust's tent were given the chance to make wildlife badges and dragonflies with a saving water theme. The trust also staged a wildflower quiz.

The Friends of Romsey War Memorial Park were raising the profile of the group at the water festival. The borough council's parks and countryside officers, including the park's and countryside manager Kevin Harrington, were also there promoting Test Valley open spaces.

Mr Harrington said: "We are looking at improving Romsey's waterways and we are working with the Environment Agency, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and Hampshire County Council to do it."

Hampshire Bat Group's stall attracted a lot of interest and visitors were given the opportunity to look at one of the nocturnal creatures close up - albeit in the hands of an expert from the group. Fresh water habitats are excellent feeding grounds for bats, says the group.

Amongst exhibitions were the Hampshire Mills Group and the Living Rivers Project, which challenged festival visitors to discover where water comes from. It also told the story of ambitious restoration work on the River Avon in Wiltshire and ways the scheme is raising people's awareness of the river's environment.

Southern Water staff handed out special plastic bottles encouraging visitors to drink tap water and Waterwise's stand came up with a lot of facts about water and the need to conserve it.

Amongst visitors to the festival were Hampshire County Council's chairman Mike Woodhall, Romsey MP Sandra Gidley and Romsey mayor Karen Dunleavey, along with borough leader Ian Carr.

Music in the War Memorial Park was provided by a number of bands, including Andover folk group Away with the Fairies and the Dave Imrie Trio.

There were lots of activities aimed at both children and adults at the festival including street theatre, film shows and talks. An illustrated talk on one of Hampshire's threatened animal species, the water vole was given at the Abbey United Reformed Church.

Pre-booked guided walks were also staged along the River Test at Broadlands.

Director of the Hampshire Water Partnership Dr Martin Burton said: "The festival went well considering the wet conditions. Over 2, 100 people came. We were hoping for between 5,000 and 6,000. Stallholders said they had a steady stream of people coming to their stands throughout the day.

"Had there been sunshine, then people would have come and picnicked on the grass."

He said that members of Romsey Youth Council were recruited to ask festival visitors for their views as they went out of the park.

"We got some very good and encouraging responses. People are taking already measures to conserve water.

"The thing we need to get across is despite last summer's wet weather, this is about climate change and changing our attitudes towards water if predictions of long hot summers are right."