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Secretary: Chrissy Stanbridge.

ANDOVER Carnival is back on track and will be held again this year thanks to a group of enthusiastic community volunteers who are determined to put on a good show on 13 July.

They hope to become the nucleus for a self-perpetuating carnival committee, which will be able to ensure that Andover never again loses out on its biggest show, which this year has a multicultural and stars and screen theme.

For the first time this summer the carnival will take place on a Sunday and while there will be no floats Andover Carnival 2008 organisers are confident that as many as 1,000 walkers in costume will take part - threading their way through the town's streets on two separate routes.

Carnival chairman Alex Gillies, from The Station Hotel, said: "The reason it is a walking carnival is that the council's health and safety department feel it is not safe for floats to be involved in the town along the ring road.

"We took the decision to opt for a Sunday after speaking to Romsey who have already switched and believe it is better from a health and safety and retail point of view.

"It means everybody can get involved in the carnival and will hopefully encourage more families with younger children to come along, not just the teens.

"The first year I was at the hotel I saw how people really enjoyed the carnival and were very disappointed when it didn't take place.

"Although there have been problems we have looked at them and decided they can be overcome."

Christine Stanbridge, who runs Class Costumes Party Zone, is the group's secretary and says she has carnival in her blood as her grandparents used to make sweets for the old fairgrounds and her parents were married on Andover carnival day 55 years ago.

"When I have spoken to people about the carnival in the shop I have found many who want to get involved," she said.

To help harness all the grassroots goodwill and enthusiasm the committee will be launching a website shortly.

The Andover Advertiser as in previous years, will be organising the Andover Carnival Prince and Princess Competition which, for the first time, will take place at The Lights.

8:47am Friday 28th March 2008

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