FOR generations, the carnival has been at the heart of community life in Hampshire and numerous other counties across Britain. These festivals of fun could be relied upon to bring thousands of onlookers out to line the pavements of towns and villages and watch the big parades.

But now many of Hampshire's historic carnivals are in danger of being strangled by red tape.

Volunteers preparing for the carnival season have been hit by new rules that aim to prevent the police being sued.

Police say officers who close roads for floats could be accused of acting unlawfully and they are no longer prepared to routinely shut roads and delay traffic in case their actions are subsequently challenged in the courts.

And floats have to be approved weeks in advance to ensure they comply with health and safety laws.

In the New Forest, Totton carnival boss Chris Lagdon said: "Police are no longer willing to close the roads and escort the procession.

"We have to close roads ourselves, which means getting permission from the district council and ensuring there are no objections from local traders.

"The regulations are very restrictive - and I think it's inevitable that some carnivals will die out."

Colin Leckenby, who helped organise this year's Netley Marsh carnival, said: "Everything had to be agreed weeks in advance, including the size and design of the floats and what was going on them. A late entry had to be turned away, whereas in the past it would probably have been allowed to take part."

The new regulations have hit nearby Copythorne, where carnival week starts on Saturday.

Carnival boss Roy Farmers said: "The procession will still go ahead, but we've had to cancel a fun run because of all the constraints."

Titchfield's Bonfire Boys Carnival - one of the largest in the south of England - is also affected.

Former chairman Geoff Hodgkinson said: "This all started in the West Country, where massive carnivals attract 100ft floats and draw huge crowds.

"Police began to distance themselves from the events and responsibility passed to the organisers. Carnivals are supposed to be a day of fun, but fun can involve risk - and that has to be man-aged in a professional way."

Police will continue to provide a presence at carnivals to deter crime and deal with public order offences.

A police spokesman said: "We have been advised that closing roads for carnivals and holding up the traffic could be held to be unlawful.

"We feel sad about the changes because a lot of carnivals support good causes and we don't want to see them disappear. But police forces across the country are having to protect themselves from the ever-increasing danger of litigation."

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