FOR the first time in its 30-year plus history, the big day in a Hampshire community was almost wrecked by the weather.

It was touch and ago whether this year's Lockerley and East Dean carnival would go ahead amid worries about electricals and a soggy village green.

However, the show went on.

There was a traditional opener to Saturday's event when mums, dads and youngsters braved the intermittent drizzle to celebrate a calypso theme, with floats zig-zagging their way from Butts Green to the village centre, led by one containing carnival queen, 12-year-old Abi Fearon, and her court.

Terry Cole, chairman of the carnival committee, told the Daily Echo: "It's never been cancelled before but we were worried because of the electricals and flooding. The only thing which has turned up is the bouncy castle."