ANDOVER's first ever festival weekend, which brought together the carnival, Lions show, fireworks and funfair, was a huge success, according to organisers the Andover and District Lions Club.

Lions Club secretary Ian Horsfield said: "The 2003 carnival was the biggest for many years. The fabulous donations collected from spectators are currently being counted and the total will be announced shortly.

"Again a bigger, better and more enjoyable show than for many years.

"Early indications suggest that over twice as much has been raised for local good causes than at last year's show. "We'd like to say a huge thank you to all the friends of the Andover Festival Weekend."