GO kart racing will be back on Romsey's streets by popular demand this summer.

It was reinstated in Romsey's Summer Carnival events programme last year and it pulled in huge crowds as well as competitors.

Pete Lomer from the carnival committee revealed the children's go kart races will be run again this summer on Tuesday July 14 - the same evening as the bed race which made a comeback in 2013 after it was axed in the 1990s because of spiralling costs to stage it.

“The event proved more popular than expected and was very entertaining.

This event will continue this year and the bed race, sponsored by Rownhams Beds, was again very popular and a lot of thought and effort went into making the beds,” said Mr Lomer who pointed out that the number of people taking part in both the summer and winter carnival parades continues to grow each year.

He added that the carnival committee doesn't support themed carnival processions.

“Other carnivals have 'themes' but the committee considers having non-themed carnivals gives entrants more scope and brings a greater variety of floats for the public to enjoy. Both processions raised a lot of money for the pot."

It was one of the largest sums we've raised for many years, said Mr Lomer, who added that plans for this year's carnival events were well under way and the first one is a quiz night on March 18 at Romsey Comrades Club.

The summer carnival procession is on Sunday July 19 and the winter parade Saturday November 21.

During last week's Romsey Carnival Committee annual general meeting £2725 was handed out to charities.

This cash was raised at 2014 carnival events including the summer and winter parades.

Amongst charities and organisations which benefited were Romsey Fire Service (£700), Romsey Emerald Social Club (£200), Romsey Arthritis Club (£500), Romsey Centre Pre School (£300) and Romsey Rugby Club (£250).

Junior carnival princess Ellie Little presented cheques to recipients.

The remainder of the £2,725 will be shared amongst six organisations who helped the carnival committee during 2014 events.

Romsey's mayor Peter Hurst presided over the AGM in the absence of the carnival committee chairman John Ray.

Mr Hurst thanked sponsors of the event and mayors and their deputies and the people of Romsey for their support at carnival events.

The carnival committee is looking for businesses to support events and the cost of staging them.

Anyone business that would like to support the carnival is asked to email romseycarnival@hotmail.co.uk for more details.

Romsey's Emerald Social Club secretary Harry Dekker said the £200 donation from the carnival committee was the “icing on the cake” for the organisation which was in recognition for its hard work in the community providing weekly bingo and coach trips throughout the year.

He said in January 41 club members and six young family members went to see Cinderella at the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton.

“A good time was had by all,” said Mr Dekker adding that the club's doors were always open to new members at the Age Concern Hall on Thursday afternoons.