ONE of Hampshire's oldest carnival parades has been saved thanks to cash support from sponsors.

Last month the Daily Echo revealed that the death knell could be sounded on Eastleigh Carnival which this year celebrates its 121st anniversary.

It was feared that it could go the same way as Lymington & Pennington carnival which has already been axed because of new rules over road closures.

A question mark has also been hovering over Brockenhurst Carnival but Lymington Lions are hoping itwill still run this summer.

All the carnivals have been hit by spiralling costs.

Eastleigh carnival's public liability insurance is set to soar from £5m to £10m, adding another £1,060 to the total bill. The carnival is also expecting to have to pay £968 for road closures needed for the parade.

Procession organiser Jo Lockyer said there had been a lot of speculation that Eastleigh's carnival procession would not go ahead this year.

But she said: "Eastleigh Carnival Association is pleased to announce that the carnival week and procession will go ahead."

The carnival has enough sponsors to make sure that it keeps on the road. This year's event is from August 9-17.

She said: "The organisers hope that the people will support the celebrations as it becomes more costly every year.We would like to thank all our sponsors who have pledged to back us."

This year the carnival's main charity is the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.

Eastleigh, which over the years has raised several thousands of pounds for charity, has become famous for its bumper parades.

In its heyday spectacular floats would roll through the gates of the former railway works to star in the procession.