THE countdown is over as a new car boot sale is to take place in Eastleigh tomorrow.

The event will be held in the car park next to Leisure Bingo and out into the Market Place precinct at 9am.

This comes after the popular Bursledon market and car boot sale was closed last year to make way for 200 new homes.

Teresa Swann, manager at Eastleigh BID, the organisation that promotes the town centre, had previously said that the event fills a gap in the market and has the advantage of being on a paved are, so it will not be weather dependent.

The car boot sale will be held every week unless there is a major event in the town centre, with up to 70 vehicles able to take part.

The event will be run under the guidelines of the Real Deal Charter, a partnership between the Eastleigh Borough Council and Trading Standards, in a bid to prevent fake, illicit and dangerous goods being sold to shoppers.

Borough councillor Paul Bicknell said: "The car boot sale is a really excellent idea. I hope people will enjoy it and from what I have seen on social media there seems to be a lot of public interest in it. I hope lots of people will attend."

Volunteers from Eastleigh-based organisation One Community will also help run the event and will raise money for local charities.

Head of voluntary sector support at One Community Julia Allan said: “This is a great opportunity for guaranteed fundraising for local charities, voluntary and community groups.”

The sale will run from 9am to 1pm and sellers will be asked to arrive from 8am. It will cost £10 for a small or medium car and £15 for a large car, van or car with a trailer. Hire of tables is £5. Entry for buyers is free.