ORGANISERS of Hampshire's Water Festival are celebrating after the event made a big splash with competition judges.

The festival, held in Winchester for the last two years, ran away with this year's Environment Agency water efficiency awards in the education and community action category and was voted the best water-related educational event in England and Wales.

Over 10,000 people attended the first summer event in 2003, which focused on informing the public about the importance of water as a natural resource, as wells as providing fun activities for people to enjoy- all in the summer sun.

The second event was equally successful and featured street theatre, a water market, exhibitions, walks along the city's river and film shows capturing the beauty and importance of the county's waterways.

A definite highlight with the public were the bands and dance groups featured in Abbey Gardens, which included the ever-popular street dancer, the "Spurting Man", whose movements are accompanied by giant plumes of water spouting from every pore.

The judging panel described the event as having a "unique approach in engaging with local residents, which encouraged them to think about the catchment they live in".

"We are thrilled that the festival has been recognised as the best water-related education initiative in England and Wales," said organiser, Andrew Pitt.