CHARITIES and community groups are celebrating after Hamp-shire Constabulary's change of heart over controversial policing charges at fairs, parades and road races.

They feared the proposed new charges outlined in January, running into thousands of pounds, could price popular community events out of existence and mean less money for charitable causes.

Hampshire police have now said they will cancel the fees for those events requiring less than 24 hours policing time, in line with the nationally agreed Association of Chief Police Officers' Policy.

Supt Ann Wakefield said: "It's designed for the big public events that are run by businesses that are profit making. It's not designed for the community events."

Eastleigh Carnival organiser Penny Alford said: "It was a nice surprise and a great relief. We all cheered when we heard.

"It was going to cost about £1,000 - and that was at half price. Had they charged that, we would have been able to give less money to charity."

The news was also welcomed by West End Parish Council chairman Neville Dickinson who said charging could have placed a question mark against the local carnival festivities.

Mr Dickinson said: "It secures the future of our carnival."

Organisers of the weekend's B&Q Eastleigh 10K Road Race had been facing a police bill running into hundreds of pounds to control an event which attracts more than 1,000 runners and also raises money for the Mayor of Eastleigh's charities.

However, because of the small number of police hours involved, the organisers will now not be charged.

Next week organisers of the Stubbington 10K Road Race will meet police to clarify the situation for next year's event, having learned that they will pay nothing for January's race.

A spokesman said: "This is not a climbdown or a concession by the police, but a sensible application of the guidelines, which we welcome and which we are grateful for."