POLICE are putting the finishing touches to plans to make sure one of Hampshire's oldest annual events goes ahead without a hitch.

It's a far cry from last year when the foot-and-mouth outbreak caused the centuries-old Wickham Horse Fair to be cancelled - but traders decided to turnup anyway.

This year there is no dispute about what day the fair should be held - Monday, May 20.

Traders overturned tradition last May by persuading organisers to hold the fair on Monday rather than Saturday after fears they would lose out on their vital weekend business.

But it's unlikely Wickham's fair will bring back the long gone tradition of giving one of the horses the privilege of drinking a pint of beer at The Star pub, now known as Greens Restaurant.

Now most traders, the King's Head and Greens Restaurant are resigned to closing their doors as the Hampshire village once again turns into a mecca for hundreds of horse traders from across the country.

Hundreds of visitors are expected to descend on the village square to visit the funfair and watch the traders race their horse carts along Winchester Road.

Inspector Sean Moore of Meon Valley police is drafting in a team of 40 police officers for Monday's event and has warned of severe disruption to traffic.

The A334 at Wickham will be closed to traffic in both directions from its junction with Buddens Road, north-west of the village square, to its junction with the A32, just south east of Wickham Square. The closures will be in place from 5am until 6pm. Diversions will be in place along Buddens Road, Station Road, Mill Lane, Bridge Street and School Road.

Wickham Square will also be closed to all vehicles from midday on Sunday until Tuesday, May 21.

Inspector Moore said: "It's a traditional day and by and large people in Wickham don't mind it. We hope it passes off smoothly."

Jenny Mallett, Wickham parish councillor, said: "Most people in Wickham are happy to accommodate the fair and recognise the police presence is needed to keep out any trouble. Older residents would be horrified if it was ever to end."