TRADERS in Stock-bridge are cock-a-hoop following news that a controversial Freedom March along the High Street has been cancelled.

Test Valley Mayor, Cllr Jack Taylor, had invited the School of Army Aviation from Middle Wallop to exercise their right as Freemen of the Borough to march through Romsey and Stockbridge on the last day of his term of office.

The Stockbridge event was due to start at 2pm with the band of the Army Air Corps also taking part.

But what infuriated traders was that parking was going to be banned for security reasons in the High Street on 14 May, although deliveries would have been allowed at the discretion of the police.

Butcher Paul Robinson and fellow traders complained bitterly that they would lose a day's business because customers would not be able to park. This week, however, the news came through that the march through Stock-bridge had been cancelled

"It's power to the traders," said Mr Robinson. "Every-body is delighted, including the people who live in the High Street.

"It can be very difficult to park in the High Street at the best of times and many people don't have their own drives."

Mayor Taylor said he was pleased that the march through Romsey would take place as planned starting from the Broadlands gates at 10am.

"Due to the protests from a number of traders in Stockbridge I understand that Test Valley Borough Council officers advised the Army Air Corp to cancel the Stockbridge part of the Freedom March," he said.

"I have no doubt that members of the Army Air Corps are serving this country in a number of countries in the Balkans and in Afghanistan and I am very saddened and disappointed that the march through Stockbridge has been cancelled."

He hoped, however, that many people would enjoy the Romsey march.

"I hope that a lot of people will turn out to watch the march and give this branch of the armed forces our support," he added.