NOT even the arrival of a baby daughter five weeks early has stopped Andover carnival chairman Mark Bladen from making plans for the traditional summer event.

This week, he was buoyed up not only by the Sunday morning arrival of baby Katherine Grace but also by the promises of help and support he has received for the carnival, likely to take place on the first Saturday in July.

"The message is that everything is moving forward. Once Christmas is over I and the Round Tablers will be asking everyone to make pledges of support for help on organising committees, marshalling and general help on the day.

"For pledges of sponsorship, we need at least £3,000 before the event can go ahead, and for promises of floats."

The carnival theme will be decided by Andover people with four suggestions on which to vote. (A voting form and a support pledge form will be included in future editions of the Andover Advertiser and the Avon Advertiser.)

The four proposed themes are the Queen's Golden Jubilee, the Football World Cup, 75 years of Round Table and Andover Carnival from 1924, its first year.

"That was the year that it was first organised to raise money to build the war memorial hospital and there was a great community spirit shown, just as there has been in following years," said the chairman. "We want to get that community spirit out on the streets again and from the messages of support we have already had, I know we can do it.

"I want to say thank you to everyone who has already been in touch."